Pair charged with entering Cushing property to steal copper

  STILLWATER — Two men, one from Payne County and the other from Creek County, have been jailed pending their arraignments this week on felony charges of entering onto rural Cushing property on E. 9th Street with the intent to steal copper.

   Jack Edward Cullum, 47, of Yale, who has a criminal record of property offenses dating back to 1998 in Creek County according to the Department of Corrections, has also been charged with possessing methamphetamine as a misdemeanor.

   Brandon Mart Kissee, 34, of Mannford, who was convicted of possessing stolen property in 2016 in another state according to DOC, has also been charged with the misdemeanor of obstructing an officer by pushing and running away.

   The pair were arrested at 4:04 pm on Oct. 25 in the 2700 block of E. 9th Street in rural Cushing, about 30 minutes after the property owner called law enforcement, court records show.

   Payne County Sheriff’s Deputy Daryn Zanfardino alleged in an affidavit that the owner told a dispatcher, “he is on his property and believes that there are people stealing items from inside. I later learned from the owner that no one was supposed to be out there other than a man, who had previously come to pick up some poles that had been scheduled.

   “The owner heard the presence of people in the building, knew that there was not supposed to be anyone there, and was in fear for himself when he heard tools banging around inside.

   “The westernmost structure had been unlawfully entered by Kissee and Cullum, as Deputy Seaton had seen Kissee exit the structure upon his arrival. Officer Robinson from the Cushing Police Department stated in his report narrative that he heard noises coming from the building when he observed a second male exit the structure…later identified as Jack Edward Cullum.

   “On the scene of the property, there were multiple tools located, such as loppers, bolt cutters, pickaxes, pliers, an electric multitool suspected to belong to Jack Cullum by the initials J.C. affixed to them, a headlamp and a gardening hoe, that all did not belong to the owner.

   “There were two hand carts that were brought empty that appeared to be staged to haul items off the property. During a search of the property, it was apparent that there were multiple cords and cables cut throughout the whole property and missing, which caused great damage vandalizing the property.

   “The copper that had been cut from the building and fixtures was being compiled in spools and in a black trash can that did belong to the owner. With the presence of the tools such as bolt cutters, loppers, multitool, hoe, pickaxe and other items on scene, it would appear that the intent was to steal copper and to haul the copper off of the property utilizing the hand carts that did not belong there.

   “Both suspects were given an opportunity to speak to law enforcement about what had occurred, and both declined to give a statement. I was informed by Deputy Bloomer that they had located a Marlboro cigarette pack on Cullum, and inside that cigarette pack was a clear zip top baggy that contained methamphetamine.

   “Brandon Mart Kissee, who was leaving the structure upon Deputy Seaton’s arrival, when contacted by Deputy Seaton and instructed to show his hands, ran from Deputy Seaton. Deputy Seaton had to attempt to physically take Kissee into custody, and Kissee continued to resist Deputy Seaton by trying to push him away. Deputy Seaton was able to successfully get Kissee in handcuffs.”

   If convicted of their charges, Cullum and Kissee could each be incarcerated for as long as six years, court records show.