Copper thefts hit AT&T

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The actions are risky, just to make a quick buck.

Cutting utility wires to steal copper.

In Georgia, yanking out wires usually costs more than $500, making it a felony that can be punishable by jail time and fines.

But there's more to it than getting caught; the thieves risk electrocution. And, when they steal telephone lines, it cuts out landline phone service for those who haven't cut the cord. Burglar alarms don't work, and people cannot call 9-11.

If successful, however, the culprits think it's worth it.  They could make several hundred dollars at a time.

AT&T is offering a reward up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest of bandits who have been stealing copper from homes and telephone poles in Atlanta, the company said recently.

At least nine copper thefts have taken place in the city in the past several weeks, the company said.

AT&T said it thinks the thefts are on the rise because of the increased price of copper coupled with people suffering from the recession and who are in need of money.

AT&T and other telephone companies, as well as other utilities, have dealt with this before. Three people were charged in September for stealing copper wire and metal blocks from a tower that houses communication equipment in North Carolina, the Star-News of Wilmington, N.C., said.

A week later, three men were charged with stealing AT&T copper wire outside of St. Louis, according to the Belleville News-Democrat

AT&T said it is working with Atlanta law enforcement and scrap metal dealers to help catch the bandits. Anyone with information on the recent thefts can call 1-800-807-4205, the company said.

AT&T is based in Dallas, but it's lucrative wireless unit, AT&T Mobility, operates out of Atlanta