Two men were arrested east of Truckee this week in connection to the destruction and theft of power lines for their valuable copper wiring, often sold on the black market in high quantities.

Alfred Cunningham, 59 of Reno, Nev., and Glenn Ruden, 53, a transient in the Truckee area, were arrested by Nevada County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night on suspicion of attempted grand theft, conspiracy to commit a felony and vandalism to power lines.

Nevada County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Koehler said deputies spotted Ruden Tuesday afternoon east of Truckee in a wooded area near downed power lines. They tracked Ruden in the snow using his bootprints.

As deputies looked for Ruden’s vehicle, Koehler said, they spotted Cunningham, Ruden’s alleged accomplice, who was in the area of a severed power pole.

On the black market, Koehler said, copper wiring is sold for about $2.50 per pound.