Two DeFuniak Springs men were jailed Monday for cutting and running – copper power lines, that is – after being caught in the act by a Libertyville farmer.

Jeffery Joe Messer, 25, and Nicholas William Jordan, 21, traveled across the state line to Covington County Road 34, just off Alabama Hwy. 55.

“Sheriff Dennis Meeks received a call from a farmer who noticed two white males in a blue car taking copper from power poles,” said Deputy Alan Sightler, who was dispatched to the area.

He said once he found the vehicle, he conducted a traffic stop. Inside the car, Sightler said he and Sgt. Jeff Daniels located the copper and the tools used to cut the lines.

“They had pulled it from seven poles, and it only amounted to about 5 pounds or $10 worth of copper,” he said.

Both Messer and Jordan were charged with theft of property and possession of burglar’s tools. Messer was also charged with possession of a controlled substance (prescription pills) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additionally, both men had outstanding warrants for their arrest, Sightler said. Messer was wanted in Walton County, Fla., and Jordan, by Covington County for a violation of probation warrant.

Each is being held in the Covington County Jail without bond.

Drug Task Force agents also assisted in the arrest.