Police on Monday arrested two people and cited another for allegedly masterminding a copper-wire theft operation that wreaked thousands of dollars in damage on telecommunications lines in Portland.

Jeremy J. Pruitt, 38, and Kimberly J. Poehler, 39, face felony charges of theft and criminal mischief, as well as charges of altering and transporting metal property.

Police also cited a third person, 40-year-old Justin Gilpatrick, on allegations of metal property offenses, unlawfully transporting copper and criminal conspiracy, they said in a news release.

Copper-wire theft is a thriving black-market business in the Portland metro area and across the country, and the current high price of copper wire means dedicated thieves can turn a hefty profit if they manage to make off with large amount

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