A man accused of stealing communications cables in Lincoln County is facing additional charges for a similar theft a week earlier.

Steve French, 54, of China, was one of three people arrested on May 9 after the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office allegedly caught them in the act of stealing the cable on Route 126 in Whitefield at around 5 a.m.

Also arrested were Reggie French, 49 and Jennifer Decosta, 44, both of China. All three were charged with aggravated criminal mischief, a Class C felony.

The trio allegedly used a ladder and “shepherd’s hook” to pull down the cables so they could be cut, according to the sheriff’s office. Police believe they were stealing the cables for the valuable copper wire inside.

Steve French was additionally charged with theft, a class B felony, and aggravated criminal mischief, a class C felony, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday.

These new charges stem from an investigation into another cable theft on May 2 on Gardiner Road in Jefferson near St. Giles’ Episcopal Church, according to the sheriff’s office.

French allegedly used the same ladder-and-hook technique for the earlier theft. However, on that occasion the tension on the cables was strong enough to break the top of the utility pole causing the electrical wires to fall, the sheriff’s office said.

French remains in custody at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, according to the sheriff’s office.