Two subjects were arrested and charged after attempting to steal the contents of power line transformers.

According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officers responded to County Road 2830, where they observed a truck in the middle of the roadway. Behind the truck, there was a fire in the road with a transformer core, copper winding, electric wires, and connectors of electric power line transformers were smoldering in the fire. Numerous metal transformer casings surrounded the fire. Officers made contact with two subjects at the scene, identified as Ronald Walstead and Timothy Still., who denied the items were from electric power lines and claimed they were from a welder.

After further inspection of the items in the fire, it was confirmed they were from an electric power line transformer. Still and Walstead were burning the items to remove the plastic and insulation to access the copper wire, so they could sell it for scrap.

Both subjects were charged with a felony for receiving stolen property with bonds set at $15,000 cash only.

Both Still and Walstead have preliminary hearings scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 3, at Randolph County Circuit Court.