Dozen men charged in underground copper cable theft

MIAMI (AP) – A dozen men are facing a long list of charges after allegedly stealing an estimated $500,000 in underground copper cable.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Miami-Dade prosecutors said Tuesday that the thefts connected to the ring were reported in the Miami area, Broward County and Volusia County. Authorities say seven of those arrested worked for a Florida Power & Light subcontractor that handled underground cable work.

Investigators say the men often wore work vests and hard hats during their thefts to pretend that they were still working in the area. They also allegedly put their company logo on personal trucks.

Charges against the men include racketeering, an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and possession of burglary tools.