UPDATE 4 p.m. Saturday, July 7th
BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The man accused of stealing copper wire meant to restore power to storm victims has been arrested in Boone County.

The Boone County Sheriff's Department arrested Robert Graham Powers at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Applachaini Power Company had confirmed earlier that the stolen wire was their property.

Robert Graham Powers, 22, of Seth, W.Va., is charged with damage or destruction of public utility company property and grand larceny.

Sheriff’s deputies recovered the utility wire on Friday.

Residents of the Toney’s Branch area notified the Sheriff’s Office that a man had wire lying at his home, which they believe could have been stolen.

When deputies arrived, they found several hundred pounds of copper and aluminum wire that appeared to have been taken from electrical utility lines in the area.

Appalachian Power Company officials confirmed the cable was their property.

Investigators believe the wire came from the Prenter area of Boone County, which sustained considerable damage from recent storms. Most residents in that area have been without power since last Friday.

Anyone with information about Powers’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Boone County Sheriff's Office at (304) 369-7340 or through the Boone 911 Center at (304) 369-9913.