Two Arrested In Wire Theft Investigation

Two men are facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into the theft of telephone wire spanning two counties.

Fifty-three-year-old David Flake Stafford of Taylorsville and 42-year-old David Allen Vetter of Conover were arrested Wednesday, February 11, by the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.

Stafford is charged with two counts each of felony larceny, injuring utility wires, and injury to property to obtain nonferrous metal, along with one count of obtaining property by false pretense. Authorities say he was also served with multiple outstanding felony warrants from Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.

Vetter faces single counts of injuring utility wires, injury to property to obtain nonferrous metal, felony larceny, and obtaining property by false pretense.

According to investigators, the case began February 11 when the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office about a bucket truck reportedly being used to cut down telephone wires in Davidson County.

The investigation led deputies to execute a search warrant at a residence off Devils Track Road in Alexander County. During the search, authorities say they discovered evidence connected to multiple incidents involving stolen telephone wire in both Alexander and Davidson counties.

As a result of the investigation, both suspects were taken into custody. Stafford was placed in the Alexander County Detention Center without bond. Vetter was later released from the Catawba County Detention Facility after posting a $17,500 secured bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.