A Polk County man was arrested and charged with stealing a downed power pole after he was seen driving with it on the roof of his car.
Monday morning, Florida Highway Patrol responded to the report of a theft on WB I-4 near milepost 9 where a motorist had loaded a downed power pole onto a small sedan.
The driver, identified as 71-year-old Douglas Allen Hatley, reportedly took the pole to a recycling facility on Harney Rd., only to be turned away for not having the proper documentation for it.
Just before 11 a.m., troopers found Hatley driving at N. 50th St. near SR 60. The utility pole and Hatley's 1997 Toyota were recovered at the time.
He was charged with grand theft and delivered to the Hillsborough County jail.
