Arrests Made in AT&T Wire Thefts

The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office has made multiple arrests in an ongoing investigation involving the theft of AT&T phone lines and copper wiring from farm irrigation pivots and well heads throughout the county.

Devan Odie Jack Crowder, 37, of Forrest City, met with investigators this morning and was arrested on one count of Theft of Scrap Copper, a Class B felony. His bond was set at $10,000 dollars.

Crowder's arrest is connected to the theft of AT&T phone lines.  Investigators determined that Crowder and a female suspect entered the Chubby Truck Stop, where they purchased a flashlight. The following day, the Forrest City Police Department received a call reporting that AT&T phone lines had been cut and removed. During the theft, the flashlight and purchase receipt were left behind at the scene.

The Forrest City Police Department later received additional calls reporting similar AT&T phone line thefts.  Investigators started looking to see if the AT&T and copper thefts and determined that they were in fact connected. 

Last week, investigators arrested Vivian Parchman, 46, of Forrest City, in connection with the AT&T copper thefts. Investigators located a burn pile containing AT&T wire that was actively being burned at the time it was discovered.

Investigators also reviewed numerous scrap sale tickets, which showed Crowder, Parchman, and Watson selling large amounts of copper to J&W Salvage.

Additionally, Philandus Watson, 31, of Colt, was arrested this week on Residential Burglary and Theft charges and was also a suspect in the copper theft investigations. Watson was interviewed by investigators and admitted his involvement, and showed investigators the specific farm irrigation pivots from which copper wire was stolen.

This investigation is ongoing, At this time, investigators are preparing additional charges for Crowder that are connected to other AT&T wire thefts along with copper stolen from the farm irrigation pivots and wells.  

The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information related to the AT&T phone line thefts or any irrigation pivots or well heads that may have been targeted to contact investigators. All calls will remain confidential.