(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the damage and theft at two cell tower sites along Road 168.
Investigation revealed that the tower along Road 168 North West of Mitchell and the tower along Road 168 nine kilometres South of Mitchell had copper ground wires removed sometime between July 11 and July 19, 2013. At one site, the fence around the base of the tower and the fencing surrounding each of the guide wire anchor sites had been cut. The suspect(s) then proceeded to cut sections of copper grounding cables.
The theft of ground wires from cell tower and telecommunication tower sites as well as hydro substations and hydro transformer poles has been a common reported occurrence throughout Ontario. With the high scrap value of copper and other metals thieves are finding this to be a lucrative activity.
These thefts can be a dangerous act as these wires are designed to ground electrical charges from the towers, poles and sites on which they are installed. The scrap value of the stolen copper wires is only a fraction of the repair and replacement cost the electrical and telecommunications companies have to incur. As consumers this shows up in higher rates on our utility and communication bills.
The Perth County OPP is continuing their investigation into these incidents. They are requesting members of the public to contact them immediately when they observe suspicious persons or vehicles near these sites.
Anyone with information about these thefts or other copper wire thefts is requested to contact the Perth County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
