A Levittown man was arrested for allegedly cutting more than 300 feet of wires from utility poles, according to police.
Kevin Hoffner, 42, has been charged with felony theft by unlawful taking, criminal attempt to commit felony theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal attempt to receive stolen property, and criminal mischief, in addition to a misdemeanor charge of possessing an instrument of crime with intent, in connection with allegedly cutting Verizon cables. Hoffner was arrested on Nov. 5 and was sent to Bucks County Jail in lieu of 10 percent of $100,000 bail.
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New Britain Township Police responded to the area of Upper State Road and Teal Drive on Oct. 30 at 2:17 a.m. for a report of a suspicious occurrence. The caller reported that they heard men screaming and using power tools and believed they were breaking into a shed, according to the police affidavit. The caller also reported hearing a loud pickup truck that he had also observed suspiciously driving through his neighborhood, the affidavit said.
When police arrived, they said a man, later identified as Hoffner, was wearing all dark clothing and quickly discarded a saw into the woods, while covering his face with a bandana. Next to him on the ground were a flashlight, a large aluminum ladder, and a saw, according to police. There was also a large, severed Verizon Fiber Optic cable, police said.
In the area of Teal Drive and Upper State Road, a total of 340 feet of wire was cut off of multiple utility poles, and the majority of the wire was severed into six-to-eight-foot segments, police said. The same debris from the wires was inside the blade of the saw Hoffner was allegedly holding, according to police.
Hoffner was then taken into custody.
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During an interview with police, Hoffner allegedly confessed to the planning and cutting of the Verizon cables, according to the affidavit.
The value of the Verizon cables was determined by a Verizon representative to be $24,857.10, the affidavit said.
Hoffner was arraigned on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. by Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between LevittownNow.com, NewtownPANow.com, and NewHopeFreePress.com and Central Bucks News. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.centralbucksnews.com
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
