GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Three men have been arrested after police investigated multiple copper wire thefts that spanned two counties, the Gaston County Police Department said.

Along with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, the department worked to investigate a "criminal network" of copper thieves. The agencies did not say where exactly the copper was stolen from or when the alleged incidents happened.

Early morning on October 28, both agencies coordinated to arrest Justin McNeely, 38, of Bessemer City, John Carpenter, 43, of Bessemer City and Joshua Robinson, 39, of Shelby.

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McNeely was charged with five counts of felony larceny, seven counts of possession of stolen goods, six counts of injury t

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