The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Copper thieves hit AT&T again here




AT&T is seeking information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism of AT&T aerial copper telephone cables in Letcher County. The thefts have occurred recently along Highway 160 and Highway 7.

Kentucky and other states require scrap-metal dealers to keep detailed and extensive records of their transactions in an electronic format, including the seller’s photograph, signature and vehicle information. Penalties for damaging a communication or utility facility or interrupting services can include a felony conviction carrying prison time and heavy fines.

“Copper theft is a growing problem in Kentucky,” said Mary Pat Regan, president, AT&T Kentucky. “Thanks to the leadership of the Kentucky Legislature, the copper theft law has been updated several times and we are committed to work with legislators again in 2012 to strengthen the law to protect Kentucky communities and consumers.”

Metal theft costs businesses nationally around $1 billion each year, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage..

AT&T is working with law enforcement agencies and scrap dealers to catch those responsible for several thefts that have occurred in the past several weeks.

Persons with information on the recent copper thefts are asked call the Letcher County Sheriff ’s Department at (606) 633-2293, Kentucky State Police at (606) 435- 6069 or AT&T Asset Protection at 1 (800) 807-4205.



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