Authorities have charged two men with theft for trying to steal a fallen 30-foot aluminum light pole along a busy highway in Nuuanu on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Douglas Souza, 46, of Kalihi Valley, and Ludivico Santiago, 44, of Kapalama, were each charged with third-degree theft.

The pole had been knocked down in a traffic accident and was beside Pali Highway near Queen Emma Summer Palace waiting to be re-erected, said Dan Meisenzahl, state Department of Transportation spokesman.

Police said Souza and Santiago had loaded the pole — which had been cut into pieces — into a pickup truck when officers arrived and arrested them at 3:25 p.m. Sunday.

Meisenzahl said each pole costs about $870. It was at least the third time in 12 years that someone has stolen or tried to steal a utility pole, apparently for the scrap metal value, Meisenzahl said.

As scrap metal the thieves would have gotten only $70 for their efforts, Meisenzahl said.

Judiciary records show that Santiago has seven misdemeanor and six felony convictions beginning in 1986. The felony convictions are for theft and forgery.

Souza has three felony and three misdemeanor convictions beginning in 1984. His felony convictions include car theft, escape and theft.