Green Country Copper Thefts Disrupt 911, Internet Service After 4,000 Feet Stolen
Updated
Updated · fox23.com · Jul 17
Green Country Copper Thefts Disrupt 911, Internet Service After 4,000 Feet Stolen
3 articles · Updated · fox23.com · Jul 17
Summary
More than 4,000 feet of copper cable have been stolen in Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Wagoner County over the past two to three months, with Kinetic logging more than 25 incidents.
Rising copper prices are fueling the thefts, Kinetic said, as thieves target utility lines at night and in remote areas to sell scrap metal.
Cut lines can knock out phone and internet service for homes, businesses and health care facilities, and can also hinder calls to 911.
Kinetic said copper thefts are up about 60% year over year across its 18-state footprint and has added night-vision cameras, GPS trackers and a $10,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.