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HARTINGTON - A South Dakota man has been arrested and charged with cutting wire from a center pivot irrigation system in Hartington.
The man’s debit card found in the field near the span of missing wire linked him to the crime, according to court documents.
Christopher Barta, 29, Irene, S.D., faces a felony criminal mischief charge in the case after an investigation conducted by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol.
Wire was found cut near the tower boxes on three stands of center pivot irrigation and most of the wire removed. A Cedar County deputy located Barta’s debit card under a pivot section.
A local center pivot installation company estimated costs of parts and labor to repair the three spans would be about $8,500.
Barta was picked up on a warrant by the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office. No court dates have been set yet in the case.
