Cell tower copper thieves targeted 911 video cameras

Nov. 20, 2013
Authorities in Alabama's Etowah County recently arrested two people in connection with an attempt to steal copper wiring from a cellular tower.

AL.com's All Alabama blog reports that Etowah County authorities recently arrested two people in connection with an attempt to steal copper wiring from a cellular tower. Located in Glencoe, Alabama, the tower in question is outfitted with video cameras, which allow Etowah County 911 dispatchers to view the area around the towers. The cameras were reportedly installed at the towers earlier this year because the county's dispatch radio repeaters are also attached to the towers, which also affects the county's EMA system.

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Investigators said that Darrell Stephen Curvin, 39, of Alexandria, and Jessica Marie Jenkins, 31, of Ohatchee, were each charged with one count of second degree theft of property, possession of burglary tools and a misdemeanor count of second degree criminal trespassing.

"A deputy and a Glencoe police officer were sent to the scene when they saw Curvin inside the cell tower's gated area," reports AL.com's William Thornton. "Jenkins was found inside a vehicle, where authorities said they found burglar tools. They also found tools inside the gated area. Copper wiring had been pulled from the ground near the tower. The wiring had a value of about $800, authorities said."

Officials added that copper thieves have hit this particular cell tower site five times over the last two-and-a-half years.

Full story:Two arrested on charges of stealing copper wiring from cell tower (http://blog.al.com/)

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About the Author

Matt Vincent | Senior Editor

Matt Vincent is a B2B technology journalist, editor and content producer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in the full range of media content production and management, as well as SEO and social media engagement best practices, for both Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine and its website CablingInstall.com. He currently provides trade show, company, executive and field technology trend coverage for the ICT structured cabling, telecommunications networking, data center, IP physical security, and professional AV vertical market segments. Email: [email protected]

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