Three charged in RIDOT copper wire theft

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Three men were arraigned Thursday in Providence District Court in connection with a string of copper wire thefts that damaged highway lighting across several Rhode Island cities.

Prosecutors say 46-year-old Jason Smith, 39-year-old Jared Smith, and 70-year-old Joseph Fiyod stole wire from state and municipal property and sold it for scrap.

Police testified that they began surveillance at Metal Services LLC on Branch Avenue in Providence after receiving a tip that stolen copper was about to be sold. Detectives say they observed the suspects unloading bags and a large plastic tote filled with stripped copper wire from a white Ford Escape.

The copper was valued at $1,382.25 and later confirmed as RIDOT property.

Prosecutors said Jason Smith later admitted that he and his brother also targeted the Blackstone Valley Transfer Station in Pawtucket, cutting through a fence and illegally entering the city-owned facility to take copper wire.

All three defendants were charged with:

• Felony conspiracy
• Making or possessing burglar tools
• Misdemeanor conspiracy
• Receiving stolen goods under $1,500.

Jason and Jared Smith are also facing felony breaking and entering charges in connection with the Blackstone Valley Transfer Station incident.

Prosecutors told the court the men were already under bail or probation conditions at the time of the alleged crimes, and the judge ordered all three held without bail on bail and probation violations, with a bail hearing scheduled for next week.

Over the past few years, RIDOT estimates that approximately 11 miles of wire have been stolen from highways in Providence, Cranston, Johnston, and Warwick, resulting in more than $470,000 in material losses.

RIDOT officials said it may take several weeks to fully restore lighting along the impacted highways and that crews are installing heavier, anti-theft manhole covers.

The investigation remains ongoing.