A suspicious persons report made by a resident helped police catch two men who allegedly stole copper wire in Whiting Monday night. 

Patrolmen David Fusaro and Arthur Cronk were called to Constitution Boulevard after a resident said that the pair was possibly stealing wire in an area under construction, said Manchester police Capt. Lisa Parker in a statement.

"The officers spoke with the caller who reported seeing a dark colored pickup truck occupied by two males taking copper wire," Parker said.

A pickup truck matching the description later was stopped by police about 1 mile from the location near Route 530 and Aster Place, Parker said. The officers saw copper wire and wire cutters in the truck's bed as they approached.

Asbury Park resident Jesse J. Hardwick III, 40, and Jorge Nieto, 24, from Ocean, Monmouth County, were arrested and charged by Cronk with stealing 40 feet of 1-inch copper wire, Parker said. The wire is valued at less than $500, according to the captain. 

The pair were released on criminal summonses pending a court date, Parker said, and the 1995 Ford F150 truck driven by Hardwick was seized by police pending further investigation.