Man jailed, accused of trying to steal Amtrak wire

A Birdsboro man was jailed Friday after being charged with cutting signal lines and attempting to steal copper wire from an Amtrak rail line in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.

James F. Martin, 40, was jailed after he was unable to post $75,000 bail following a preliminary arraignment in Phoenixville District Court. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking, risking catastrophe, criminal trespass, and related counts, according to court records.

He was spotted by an Amtrak repair technician about 1 p.m. at the Whitford Rail Station in Exton. He was arrested without incident. - George Anastasia