Two Arrested For Cutting/Stealing Phone Lines in Southeast Kentucky

From the Bell County Ky. Sheriff's Department -

Monday, March 16, 2026, Bell County Deputy Keith Fuson was dispatched to a location on Highway 66 near Belcher Road after a call of stolen phone lines in Baxter, Ky.

Upon arriving at Belcher Road, Deputy Fuson saw a dark blue Chevy Equinox parked at Belcher Lane with a man, identified as 54- year-old Tommy Lewis of Pineville, sitting in the driver's seat.

Another man, identified as 43-year-old Patrick Cross of Harlan, was standing to the side and front of the vehicle. Found near Cross was a white burlap bag with another within 20 feet of him. One of the bags held a cut fiber optic line, and Cross also had a hat with a box cutter in it. On the side of the roadway was the recently stripped covering of the fiber line, which appeared to have been done with a box cutter.

Found in the vehicle on the back driver's side was a bolt cutter, and a flashlight was still on in the front seat. Another similar white burlap bag was found in a duffel bag inside the car.

Both Cross and Lewis were arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center, charged with criminal mischief - 1st degree - tampering with key infrastructure assets and possession of burglary tools.

This is the second similar arrest in seven months for Tommy Lewis regarding stolen phone lines.