Off-duty state trooper reportedly witnesses men allegedly stealing scrap metal around train tracks

Old Lyme – Three men were arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly trespassing on train tracks and stealing scrap metal.

State police said an off-duty state trooper witnessed the men – Brenton A. Church, Jake Tyler and Robert L. Machol – enter the train tracks near Mile Creek Road around 10:30 a.m. Responding officers, including two Old Lyme police officers, tried to apprehend the men, who fled.

Police said an Amtrak train had to be stopped as officers brought in a K-9 unit to track down the men.

Once apprehended, police charged Machol, 23, of 36 Homestead Circle, with third-degree trespassing, fifth-degree larceny, interfering with an officer, breach of peace and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Tyler, 21, of no known address, was charged with third-degree trespassing, sixth-degree larceny, interfering with an officer breach of peace and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Church, 20 of 6 Josie Perkins Lane, Lyme, faces the same charges as Tyler as well as possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of liquor by a minor.

All three were held on $5,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in New London GA 10 Court on Thursday.