LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

A massive copper wire theft ring in Louisville was stopped this week and some of the suspects answered to charges in court.

The metro's newly formed critical infrastructure task force cracked down on the operation and arrested seven people in total:

Two of those men faced a judge for the first time Friday on a slew of charges, including engaging in organized crime.

Brian Burgett and Chad Hester allegedly stole 3,600 feet of wire from a TRIMARC sign on the highway, valued at $50,000.

“A TRIMARC sign over the interstate was disabled as a result of that, and obviously these signs are important for relaying messages to motorists out on the highway,” said Kristin Southard, assistant Jefferson County attorney.

In addition to state-owned traffic systems, the investigation

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