LEVY COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, Levy County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives responded to a report of aggravated assault and armed trespassing in Bronson. The property owners reported discovering two trucks occupied by multiple individuals trespassing on their property. When the complainant confronted the individuals and attempted to photograph the vehicles and the tag numbers, one subject allegedly threatened them with a shotgun. Deputies were provided with a description of the trucks and the individual who brandished the firearm. Deputies and detectives later located the two trucks at 8051 Northeast 95th Ave. and identified the man who brandished the gun as William McCrae of Bronson.
The investigation discovered a makeshift copper wire stripping station on this property that was hidden behind an outbuilding. The station contained copper wire, wire insulation, and a commercial-size copper wire stripper mounted on a table. The area appeared to be intentionally concealed beneath several large tarps.
McCrae was previously identified by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office as a person of interest in multiple copper wire thefts from electrical substations. Detectives determined during prior investigations that McCrae was selling large quantities of copper wire to salvage yards.
Detectives interviewed William McCrae and another suspect, Michael Earnhardt about the copper wire stripping operation. McCrae and Earnhardt admitted to stealing copper wire from multiple electrical substations in Levy County and surrounding jurisdictions. Detectives from surrounding jurisdictions were notified, and also interviewed the defendants.
William McCrae was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of grand theft. His total bond was set at $350,000.
Michael Earnhardt was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal mischief and two counts of grand theft. His total bond was set at $104,000.