IRON COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - St. Francois County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man believed to have stolen a large amount of AT&T telephone wire.

The arrest came on Wednesday, August 27, after it was discovered that telephone lines had been cut and removed in an area at Iron Mountain Lake.

While searching the area, deputies followed a nearby 4-wheeler trail and discovered loose wire along with other evidence.

They said they also found John Watson, of Iron Mountain Lake, hiding in the woods.

He was taken into custody.

Investigators say during an interview, Watson admitted to cutting the wire.

Watson was booked into the St. Francois County Detention Center and faces a tampering with utilities in the second degree charge.

See Full Page