BENTON – Two West Frankfort men were arrested Tuesday in connection with the theft of telephone cable.

Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon says the sheriff’s office got a call early Tuesday morning concerning an unoccupied vehicle parked in a rural area east of Benton.

Deputies were aware that a number of thefts have happened in that area and immediately responded. They were assisted by two Benton Police officers.

Soon after arriving to the area, deputies located two subjects dressed in camouflage and dark clothing. They were identified as 58-year-old Stephen R. Irvin Jr. of West Frankfort and 59-year-old William A. Vanzandt also of West Frankfort.

During the investigation, the subjects were found to be in possession of several hand tools including cable sheers and tin snips. They were also found to be in possession of a large amount of stripped telephone cable.

Vanzandt and Irvin Jr. were placed under arrest and charged with Theft over $500.