Thieves Target Railroad Communication Lines

A recent string of copper thefts has authorities in east Texas alarmed. Crooks are snatching copper wires along railroads. As Jason Clark reports, those wires are the communication links that keep trains on track. They weigh thousands of tons... And haul some the most dangerous substances you`ll find. Trains are a part of everyday life. We only notice them when things go terribly wrong. "A lot of people may think this is a petty crime, but its not it has the potential to be a big disaster." Lieutenant Scott Sartain with the Titus county sheriff`s department is referring to an alarming trend. People known as "scrappers" are stealing wire along the railroad rightaways. The lines signal engineers when to slow down or speed up...and alert them if another train is up ahead. "It could cause them to send a train down a track that another train may be and that of course could cause a lot of damage if we have a train derailment," Sartain said. Brad Vadever works just a few hundred feet from latest spot to get hit. "Man that`s crazy! Its a good way to get people killed for one thing these people need to get a job." Samantha Noah didn`t think twice when she saw thieves helping themselves to the cable in front of her house. Noah said, "I didn`t even know you could steal that stuff." Two people have been arrested in connection with the thefts. Authorities say more on the way. They hope to avoid disaster and put some copper crazed crooks behind bars.