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05-08-07
Cell Phone Towers Hit by Copper Thieves
Wise County Sheriff’s Office has seen a large increase in copper wire related
thefts. Thieves have hit several
cell phone towers around the county. The cell phone towers are located in
different areas so there is no specific area where the thefts are occurring.
Copper wire is a hot item not only in Wise County; but also across North Texas
as the phone lines are cut then the copper wire is stripped and then sold as
junk metal or re-sold to other companies that don’t know it is stolen. The
copper wire stolen from above ground telephone poles requires someone with the
knowledge and equipment to scale the poles to cut the wire that is stolen. The
thieves cut copper wire lines from the towers and roll it up along with some of
the other equipment on the towers that can be sold as well.
The
thieves are making big money while the utility companies and the citizens suffer
until the service can be re-established. The Wise County Sheriff’s office is
asking for your help, If you see someone at a cell phone tower or something
appears to be suspicious in the late night/early morning time frame call the
Sheriff’s Office and make a report of suspicious activity.
The Sheriff’s Office phone number is 940-627-5971. Or, if you know
anything about these theft contact the Wise County Crime Stoppers at
1-800-643-8477 (TIPS). Crime Stoppers will pay up to $ 1000.00 for information
leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect. Sgt Debbie Denney CPO/PIO
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