Scrap thieves hitting more radio and cell phone towers
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 14, 2024) – Communication tower sites are becoming increasingly popular targets for thieves in the area.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Detective Captain Adam Fisher says his office has been called to investigate thefts involving at least five cell phone or radio tower sites in the past month, including a break-in that was discovered during sheriff’s patrols Thursday along River Hill Rd SW near Port Washington. The owner was sending a crew to that tower today to determine if anything was missing.
Fisher says the thieves are usually stealing copper wire to sell at scrap yards, but batteries were also taken in one of the reports, which can disrupt communication services at those towers.
He says they are often in isolated areas, so he is asking for neighbors to watch out and report any unusual activity. Fisher says some towers have been getting equipped with alarms to notify authorities of break-ins and the sheriff’s office is also exploring surveillance options.