ELLWOOD CITY — Police say a Western Pennsylvania couple desperate for money to pay for their wedding netted just $18 for the stolen copper wire they cut from more than a dozen utility poles.

North Sewickley police say Joseph Russell, 23, and April Cater, 24, cut down the wires Aug. 9, four days before their wedding.

Russell says he was desperate for money because he’d just lost his job and lost a $1,000 deposit after his reception hall abruptly closed down.

Sgt. Jeff Bezce says the couple clearly expected to get more money than they got.

Russell says he will pay for the damages. Utility officials say it will cost about $400 to repair of the 18 poles that were damaged.