(KRON) — The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the community to report suspicious vehicles as a series of copper wire thefts has been impacting phone and internet service for rural AT&T customers.
Numerous reports of copper wire theft have been reported since February in rural areas of Petaluma, Windsor, Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville and Freestone, authorities said. The wire is being stolen directly from AT&T-owned utility poles.
“In these incidents, unknown suspect(s) have reportedly cut down the lines, stripped the protective coating, and removed the copper wiring inside, often leaving the outer casing behind,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “These thefts have disrupted phone and internet service for AT&T customers in the affected areas until repairs can be completed.”
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Detectives believe the thefts are occurring in the overnight hours throughout the county. The sheriff’s office is encouraging anyone who sees suspicious or out-of-place vehicles parked along roadways or in residential driveways during late-night or early-morning hours to call dispatch at 707-565-2121.