DARLINGTON - A Darlington woman and former Gratiot man face charges in Lafayette County Circuit Court that they conspired to steal copper off cell towers in the area last October.
Megan L. Beebe, 21, and Paul M. Rose, 29, are each charged with one Class H felony count of theft of property with a value of $5,000 to $10,000, three Class I felony counts of theft of property with a value of $2,500 to $5,000 and Class A misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal damage to property, all as a party to a crime.
Beebe and Rose each face a maximum sentencing of 10 and a half years imprisonment followed by 11 years on extended supervision.
A warrant is issued for Rose's arrest. In court Sept. 23, Beebe stood mute on the charges. She signed a $2,000 signature bond and has a scheduling conference Oct. 23.
According to the criminal complaint:
Beebe and Rose worked as tower climbers for a service contractor until they were fired under suspicion of stealing tools.
On Oct. 9 and 10, 2014, they stole copper wire and copper ground bars belonging to U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless off cell towers on Ridge Road in the Town of White Oak Springs, on County B in the Town of Belmont, on County N in the Town of Wayne, on Miner Way in Shullsburg and on Kathy Road, Town of Lamont.
In an interview with detectives, Beebe identified Rose as a heroin user and herself as a prescription pill abuser. She said she and Rose were high on drugs the night of the thefts.
She said she made a deal with Rose to accompany him on the thefts in exchange for a shot of heroin and $20 for gas. Rose in turn sold the copper for cash at a local salvage yard.
One detective noted in his report that Beebe told him "she was sorry for how her life had turned out and what she has done wrong."
In a separate interview with detectives, Rose maintained he is not a thief and did not steal anything. A detective's report noted that Rose had bloodshot eyes and was "slow to react" during the interview.
Rose was convicted of a felony earlier this year in Green County for criminal damage to property, related to the theft of copper wire components from the WEKZ radio tower site just south of Monroe on Franklin Road. He is currently serving a two-year probation in that case. Court records indicate he may be living in Ohio now.
Beebe has no criminal record in Wisconsin.
Megan L. Beebe, 21, and Paul M. Rose, 29, are each charged with one Class H felony count of theft of property with a value of $5,000 to $10,000, three Class I felony counts of theft of property with a value of $2,500 to $5,000 and Class A misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal damage to property, all as a party to a crime.
Beebe and Rose each face a maximum sentencing of 10 and a half years imprisonment followed by 11 years on extended supervision.
A warrant is issued for Rose's arrest. In court Sept. 23, Beebe stood mute on the charges. She signed a $2,000 signature bond and has a scheduling conference Oct. 23.
According to the criminal complaint:
Beebe and Rose worked as tower climbers for a service contractor until they were fired under suspicion of stealing tools.
On Oct. 9 and 10, 2014, they stole copper wire and copper ground bars belonging to U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless off cell towers on Ridge Road in the Town of White Oak Springs, on County B in the Town of Belmont, on County N in the Town of Wayne, on Miner Way in Shullsburg and on Kathy Road, Town of Lamont.
In an interview with detectives, Beebe identified Rose as a heroin user and herself as a prescription pill abuser. She said she and Rose were high on drugs the night of the thefts.
She said she made a deal with Rose to accompany him on the thefts in exchange for a shot of heroin and $20 for gas. Rose in turn sold the copper for cash at a local salvage yard.
One detective noted in his report that Beebe told him "she was sorry for how her life had turned out and what she has done wrong."
In a separate interview with detectives, Rose maintained he is not a thief and did not steal anything. A detective's report noted that Rose had bloodshot eyes and was "slow to react" during the interview.
Rose was convicted of a felony earlier this year in Green County for criminal damage to property, related to the theft of copper wire components from the WEKZ radio tower site just south of Monroe on Franklin Road. He is currently serving a two-year probation in that case. Court records indicate he may be living in Ohio now.
Beebe has no criminal record in Wisconsin.