Six felony charges were filed Thursday against a man accused of stealing copper wire from cellular phone towers in rural Madison County over a three-month span.

Lee A. Franks

Lee Franks, 32, of Litchfield, is accused of targeting towers in Hamel, New Douglas and Worden in June, July and August. He faces charges in Macoupin County for similar thefts. Franks is also charged with recruiting a minor the help with the heists.

After a Macoupin County arrest warrant was issued for Franks, Madison County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Franks at an East Alton hotel. Franks grabbed and twisted the wrist of both investigators as they were attempting to place him in handcuffs. He was eventually secured and taken to the Madison County Jail, police said.

Franks faces two felony charges for aggravated battery to a police officer, three felonies for theft over $500 and another felony for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The minor is facing charges through the juvenile courts, police said.

Franks’ bond was set at $100,000.