ROCKINGHAM — Investigators with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office have charged another man for allegedly stealing copper from utility lines.
An arrest warrant alleges that 57-year-old Michael Wayne Rushing, of the Hamlet area, caused more than $1,000 (but less than $10,000) in damage to AT&T property while stealing copper wire on June 8.
The warrant does not indicate where the alleged incident took place.
A magistrate issued the warrant on June 10, charging Rushing with one felony count each of injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals and felony larceny, as well as a misdemeanor count of injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals damaging infrastructure.
Rushing was arrested June 14 and booked into the Richmond County Jail on a $15,000 secured bond. His first court appearance was June 15 and his next is scheduled for July 2.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Rushing was convicted in 2022 on two counts of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and attempted felony larceny.
He initially received probation, which was revoked on the two drug possession charges in 2024. Rushing served about four and a half months in 2024 and was incarcerated again from February-September of 2025 on a post-release revocation.
Charges have been filed against at least 10 individuals since April in connection to stealing nonferrous metals from solar farms, utility lines and HVAC units.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
