Jackson Free Press

AT&T offers reward in copper thefts

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) — AT&T is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to solve incidents of copper theft from telephone cables. The reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

WTOK TV reports (http://bit.ly/WIjZmJ ) the thefts happened in Meridian and Lauderdale County.

AT&T says the steady rise in the market price of copper in the last few years and the down economy has led some thieves to extreme measures, including stealing copper cables from facilities and telephone poles. The phone company says it's working with law enforcement agencies and scrap metal dealers in the county to solve the cases.

Regional Manager C.D. Smith says most copper thieves clip overhead telephone cables in the overnight hours.

Damage to telecommunications equipment is a felony, punishable by jail time and fines.

Smith said residents should be alert for anyone climbing or loitering around a telephone pole without an AT&T uniform. AT&T technicians do not work alone and never after dark without work lights, Smith said.

AT&T trucks are clearly branded and the company does no use unmarked vehicles, Smith said.

Small fires giving off a burning rubber smell may indicate thieves are burning sheathing from cable, Smith said.