Men Arraigned In Highway Sign Battery Thefts

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Sean Brogna, 46, of Melrose, and William Copson, 54, of Melrose, were each arraigned today on charges of malicious destruction of property over $250 (2 counts), larceny over $250 (2 counts), possession of a burglarious instrument, and conspiracy. Bail was set for Brognaat $2000 cash and for Copson at $1000 cash. Malden District Court Judge Emily Karstetter scheduled the next hearing for these defendants for Thursday, April 16.

“This is a case where an alert civilian allegedly saw these two men stealing batteries from highway message signs,” said District Attorney Ryan. “The men were trying to look like they belonged there doing sign work, one was even wearing a fluorescent traffic vest. This civilian’s actions in reporting what he saw led to these arrests and the recovery of sixteen batteries.”

Massachusetts State Police say they received a cell phone call, Sunday, March 22, at approximately 2 p.m., indicating that two men with a black truck appeared to be stealing batteries from MA DOT message boards in the median strip of I-95 in Wakefield. Troopers say when they located the suspects, one man was wearing a fluorescent traffic vest, the other man was in civilian clothes, and in the bed of the suspects’ truck they found 16 type US2200XC batteries.

Authorities say a conservative estimate puts the value of each battery at more than $100. Troopers also observed in the suspects’vehicle metal wire cutters and bolt cutters.

This case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to the arraignment this morning was Assistant District Attorney Emily Farley.