© unknown
Thieves determined to reap value from scrap metal have pried storm grates from streets, sliced catalytic converters from cars and trucks and stripped copper downspouts from churches.
Now they've sunk to new depths - or reached new heights, depending on your view.
Lakeville Police Chief Frank Alvilhiera said police who went to a Verizon cell tower off Route 140 earlier this month found a man attempting to steal copper plates used to ground the towers during lightning strikes.
"The officers reported that he was over 100 feet above ground," said Alvilhiera. "This is the first time we have had a theft from a cell tower that I can recall. This has been the trend with copper prices high. Thefts are on the rise everywhere."
In fact, cell towers have been targeted by copper thieves around the country:
In Spartanburg County, S.C., copper has been stolen from seven cell towers this summer, including from four AT&T towers on a single day in July. Police said the rise in thefts may have been prompted by a new law to take effect later this month that will require anyone selling copper to obtain a permit from the county sheriff.
In Richland, Penn., two copper grounding plates were discovered missing from a cell tower last week. Each plate costs $500 to replace, according to a technician.
In New Hampshire, three cell towers were targeted in Salem and Londonderry during the last weekend in June. In April, two men were arrested in Salem and charged with stealing copper wire from National Grid.
In Des Moines, Iowa, a spokesman for AT&T said thieves have stolen about 150 feet of copper wire from five cell phone towers since the end of May. Replacement costs were estimated at $2,500.
"Copper theft is against the law, which is why CTIA and our member companies support tougher penalties," said Amy Storey, a spokeswoman for CTIA-The Wireless Association, the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry.
"We also believe there should be a requirement for more disclosures, (such as) identifying where you got the wire before you get paid," Storey said.
The thefts from cell towers are the latest twist in a growing trend of stealing metals, from copper to bronze, as they rise in price. Law enforcement authorities say the thefts are driven by drug addicts looking for stuff they can sell quickly for a fix.
"Copper theft threatens the wireless industry employees' safety as well as impacting the reliability of the wireless networks," Storey said.
Lakeville Police Officer Thomas Robinson was able to arrest Adam L. Haller, 26, of New Bedford, in connection with the cell tower theft, which occurred at 1:24 p.m. Aug. 1.
Haller, who police said was on the ground, was charged with trespassing, malicious destruction of property and attempting to commit a crime.
The suspect who was atop the tower managed to elude police by climbing to the lowest platform, jumping over a barbed wire fence and running away.
A search by a K-9 team failed to find him, but Alvilhiera said police know the man's name and have issued a warrant for his arrest.
Alvilhiera said the tower was in an enclosed area with barbed wire atop the gate. The suspects gained access by bypassing the code to enter the enclosure, he said.
Michael Murphy, a spokesman for Verizon Wireless, declined to discuss security around cell phone towers.
"For obvious reasons, we don't discuss or detail security measures or protocols at company facilities," Murphy said. "Because that would kind of defeat the purpose, would it not?"
Verizon spokesman Phil Santoro said the division responsible for copper and fiber wires on utility poles has experienced thefts as well.
Santoro called the instances "rare," but said they have happened in every state and the company offers rewards.
"People have been caught, prosecuted and convicted," said Santoro.
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter