Two Arrested in Connection With Stolen Copper Wire

Glendora Police arrested two men early Saturday morning and discovered the subjects were in possession of copper wire that reportedly was stolen from railroad grade crossings in town.

Arrested were Jesse Johnson, 26, and Hector Rivera, 23, both on suspicion of receiving known stolen property of $400 or more. Rivera was additionally charged with possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia. Both men are being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

The two men were pulled over by police near Ralphs, 655 South Grand Avenue. During a vehicle search, officers found bundles of copper wire in the trunk of the car. Officers and Metrolink officials were later able to determine the wire came from railroad grade crossings in the city, said Lieutenant James DeMond.

"We basically called Metrolink and had them check and through our investigations and talking to them, we were able to narrow them down to where they came from and went back and we could see that that's where stuff was done," DeMond said.

The grade crossing at Glendora Avenue was affected early morning, May 1. The gates were fully operational around 7:30 a.m., with the lights and bells sounding with no train in sight, refusing to shut off. Police conducted traffic control at the crossing and searched the area for compromised wiring until Metrolink technicians arrived.

Saturday, April 28, the grade crossings at Vermont and Ada avenues were also operating and would not rise until Metrolink fixed the crossing.

Both men are scheduled to appear at West Covina Superior Court as early as Monday, DeMond said.