Man charged after thousands worth of copper stolen from Cherokee County power substation

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A man was charged after thousands of dollars’ worth of copper wiring was stolen from a Georgia Transmission Corporation power substation, according to the Cherokee Country Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to an alarm from the power substation on Ball Ground Highway. While searching the area, deputies said they found a section of the fence was cut open.

The sheriff’s office said 61-year-old Aubrey Lee Miller was hiding in surrounding woods, along with large amounts of copper wiring nearby. Deputies also found wire cutters.

Miller was arrested on Sunday. He was charged with criminal trespass, felony theft by taking, damage to public utility equipment and destruction/vandalism to property.

He was taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.