EUGENE, Ore. — A 61-year-old man is facing arson and criminal mischief charges after allegedly stripping wire from a telephone pole, causing a fire in the process, on Thursday afternoon, according to Eugene police.
At approximately 3:50 p.m. on April 24, Eugene police officers responded to a report of a man seen breaking into an electrical box and removing wire near the intersection of Bertelsen Road and Stewart Road. Witnesses also reported that the man was consuming alcohol from a large bottle of whiskey and pulling wire from a nearby telephone pole, which eventually caught fire.
Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded to the scene ahead of law enforcement and quickly extinguished the flames, which had engulfed the base of the pole. Police later identified the suspect as Thomas Randolph Logan, who appeared visibly agitated and hostile when approached by officers.
Upon investigating, police discovered that several telecommunication wires, believed to belong to CenturyLink, had been cut into several pieces and were hanging from the damaged pole. Despite making threatening remarks toward officers, Logan was arrested without incident.
Logan was booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree arson. According to jail records, he remains in custody as of April 25. The Eugene Police Department estimates the cost to replace the damaged telephone pole at approximately $10,000.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and legal consequences associated with tampering with public infrastructure, particularly electrical and telecommunications systems. Investigators are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage caused by Logan’s actions.
Logan’s arrest follows a string of similar incidents, highlighting ongoing concerns over public safety and the potential hazards associated with electrical and utility-related crimes.
