Sheriff: Man Caught Cutting Railroad Tracks
MODESTO (CBS13) – Metal thefts have been on the rise during the economic downturn, but the target is usually copper wiring at schools, businesses and vacant buildings.
On Wednesday, a Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputy caught a man reportedly in the act of cutting sections of railroad tracks in Modesto.
Deputy Barry Balance responded to the tracks at Bangs Avenue and North Starr Way behind the Indalex building, and witnessed Joradn Guertein, 40, of Merced kneeling over the tracks with blow torch cutting the railroad tracks, according to the sheriff's office. There were eight fresh cuts in 3-foot sections.
The deputy called the Union Pacific Railroad police, and Guertin was arrested for grand theft, tampering with railroad property and for an outstanding warrant out of Merced County.
That section of the railroad is inactive, Union Pacific said.
There have been several issues at the Indalex building over the last few months, but no one has come forward to claim ownership of the property, the sheriff's office said.
"This arrest demonstrates that the sheriff's office will act and arrest when lawful to do so", said Sheriff Adam Christianson in a press release. "We take property crime seriously and we appreciate the Union Pacific Railroad being willing to help us protect their property"
