safety
Two men arrested for allegedly cutting copper wiring off TDOT interstate sign in Nashville
By Tony Garcia at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Two men are facing charges after they allegedly tried to steal some copper wiring from an interstate in Nashville .The Metro Nashville Police Department reported the arrests of 42-year-old Michael See and 41-year-old Thomas Allard on Wednesday, July 8.See and Allard repor...
Key takeaway The Metro Nashville Police Department reported the arrests of 42-year-old Michael See and 41-year-old Thomas Allard on Wednesday, July 8.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The theft of copper wiring from a TDOT interstate sign in Nashville is a costly incident that will impact the city's infrastructure budget. With repairs estimated at $10,000, this incident will divert funds that could have been used for other essential projects. The fact that the recycling value of the stolen copper is significantly lower than the repair cost, at around $1,500, suggests that the thieves may not have considered the broader consequences of their actions. This incident also raises concerns about public safety, as damaged signs can pose a hazard to drivers. The Metro Nashville Police Department's swift response and arrest of the suspects is a positive step, but the city will need to consider ways to prevent similar incidents in the future, such as increasing surveillance or improving the security of its infrastructure. The additional charge of drug possession against one of the suspects also highlights the potential connections between property crime and other social issues in the city.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Two men are facing charges after they allegedly tried to steal some copper wiring from an interstate in Nashville.The Metro Nashville Police Department reported the arrests of 42-year-old Michael See and 41-year-old Thomas Allard on Wednesday, July 8.See and Allard repor...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tony Garcia at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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