Man cut down light pole, planned to scrap, say sheriffs

ST. MARTIN, Miss. (WALA) - Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a man they say cut down a 30-foot light pole in the hopes of selling it for scrap metal.

Gregory Schauger, 43, was arrested on July 7, 2012 after a caller reported a suspicious person on Lorraine Circle in the St. Martin Community.

When deputies arrived, they say Schauger was standing near the 30-foot long aluminum pole, which he admitted to cutting down, lying on the ground. They said he planned to scrap the metal.

When law enforcement spoke to the owner of the property, they said he told them he hadn’t given the suspect permission to take the pole.

Schauger was arrested and taken to Jackson County Adult Detention Center on charges of attempted grand larceny; he is being held on $25,000 bond.

Attempted grand larceny is a felony and carries a fine of $10,000 and up to 10 years behind bars.