MANCHESTER — A city man is accused of cutting copper wiring from a relay switch controlling the railroad crossing gates at the intersection of North Commercial and Canal streets.

The incident happened about 7 pm. Tuesday. Police said the gates were in a down position when officers arrived and located a suspect, identified as Matthew Cormier, 28, of 329 Amherst St., walking on the tracks just north of Commercial Street.

A witness told police they saw a man cutting the wires from equipment associated with the railroad tracks. A Pan Am Railways engineer also arrived at the scene. He said the wires, which Cormier allegedly had on him, were “copper relay bonds,” cut from the relay switch that caused the gates to come down across the intersection, causing a slight traffic backup.

Cormier is charged with criminal mischief and theft.