Hartwell Man Arrested in $100K Metal Theft from Hartwell Dam

Hart County Sheriff’s investigators have arrested one man in connection with the theft of at least 22-thousand pounds of copper wiring from the Lake Hartwell Dam.

According to Hart County Sheriff’s investigator Eric Cutshall the copper, which had a street value of $100,000 was taken over a period of time by outside contractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do work at the Dam.

“It was taken over a period of several months, and we believe it was done by at least one contractor,” Cutshall said.

Cutshall said  WLHR News some of the wire was traced to local scrap yards where it was sold.

That led investigators to arrest 42-year old James Ernest Masters III of Hartwell.

Masters is charged with Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.

Cutshall said it was Masters who sold the copper for scrap.

However, he said their investigation is continuing and it is not clear yet how many other people may have been involved in the theft.

Masters could also be facing federal charges.

Cutshall tells WLHR News he has called in investigators from the U.S. Army’s Central Intelligence Division out of Fort Gordon to assist in the investigation.

He said the FBI is also assisting since the the total amount of copper taken was over $100,000 in value.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District spokesman Russell Wicke would not comment because the investigation is ongoing.

We will have more details on this developing story for you as they become available.