State Police Catch Men Stealing Light Pole on I-695

Two men allegedly attempted to steal a highway light pole Monday morning in Glen Burnie, police said.

Quincy R. Hawkins, 47, of Glen Burnie, and James A. Phaneuf, 46, of Brooklyn Park, were arrested by Maryland State Police (MSP) and charged with theft over $1,000 and malicious destruction of property.

According to the MSP, officers from the received a call at about 9 a.m. Monday from a motorist who saw a pickup truck stopped on the ramp from eastbound Interstate 695 to southbound Ritchie Highway.

The motorist said the pickup truck had its hood up, but the two men there did not appear to be working on the truck or waiting for assistance.

When a state trooper arrived, he found Phaneuf and Hawkins standing next to a highway light pole that was laying on the ground, according to the police report. The trooper saw that a power inverter was hooked to the truck battery was was being used to run a reciprocating saw, police said.

Police said the men were using the saw to cut up the light pole and a section of the pole had already been loaded into the truck.

"State Highway Administration officials say the light pole was valued at $1,740, in addition to the value it has in lighting up the ramp for motorists at night," according to the release.