Sonoma County Sheriff seeks public help over copper wire thefts disrupting AT&T services
Updated
Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · Apr 28
Sonoma County Sheriff seeks public help over copper wire thefts disrupting AT&T services
8 articles · Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · Apr 28
Since February, thieves have targeted rural areas including Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville, and Petaluma, cutting power lines and stealing copper wiring from AT&T utility poles.
The thefts have caused major disruptions to residents’ phone and internet services, with no suspects identified so far. Detectives are following leads and urge residents to report suspicious vehicles or activity.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to call the Dispatch Center or submit anonymous tips online, as the investigation continues and property crimes detectives track ongoing reports across affected communities.
Arrests were made in Sonoma, but are these thefts the work of larger, organized crime rings?
As copper prices soar, is upgrading to fiber the only way to stop widespread telecom theft?
Beyond arrests, what new tech can truly protect miles of vulnerable power lines in rural America?
Why must companies spend billions maintaining old copper lines that are easy targets for thieves?
Do stricter laws for scrap dealers truly stop the flow of stolen copper from the market?