The White County Sheriff’s Department received a call in regards to individuals trespassing on the former Pattiki Mine property attempting to steal wire from the site. At around 8 PM on Wednesday March 22nd Deputy Wicker with the assistance of officers from the Carmi PD went to Mine #1 to search for the suspects. While searching the officers observed an excavator with the boom filled with wire. No individuals were found on site but the officers could tell the excavator had been running due to heat coming off the engine. Jacob Elliot and Brent Edwards met with the officers on the property and stated that there are cameras on the site and Elliot could see the excavator moving but when Wicker pulled onto the property the suspects ran off. Elliot stated that these incidents are happening 2-3 times a week. He said that people have been cutting holes in the fence around the property and dragging the wire through the holes in the fence. Elliot has been repairing the fence as it’s being damage. Elliot told the officers he was unsure of who could be causing the damage. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
