Verizon Offers up to $50,000 for Information on Telephone Cable Thefts in Fayette County, Pa.

Verizon is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individuals responsible for a recent spate of copper telephone cable thefts that have put public safety at risk for hundreds of customers in Fayette County and caused unnecessary telephone service outages.

In recent weeks, thieves have cut and stolen thousands of feet of copper cable at nine locations, resulting in more than $20,000 in damages.  As a result of these crimes, hundreds of Verizon local phone customers have unnecessarily experienced telephone service delays - up to several days in some cases - and endured risks to their personal safety.

"These thefts are incomprehensible because they put people's lives in danger and can cost thousands of dollars to repair," said Michael Wagner, director of construction for Verizon Pennsylvania.  "We will not tolerate these deliberate and malicious acts against our telephone network and our customers."

Verizon is working closely with state and local law enforcement authorities to find and prosecute those responsible.

In recent weeks, the following criminal acts have occurred:

• April 22 in Uniontown - A 360-foot section of copper cable was cut and stolen.
• April 25 in Farmington - A 600-foot section of copper cable was cut and stolen.
• April 26 in White House - Nearly 400 feet of copper cable and a fiber-optic cable were cut and stolen.
• May 5 in White House - A 290-foot section of a copper cable and a fiber-optic cable were cut and stolen.
• May 11 in Shoaf - A 300-foot section of cable was cut and stolen.
• May 11 in Smithfield - A 230-foot section of cable was cut and stolen.
• May 12 in Haydentown - More than 1,200 feet of copper cable and a fiber-optic cable were cut and stolen.
• May 14 in McClellandtown - Two sections of copper cable totaling 500 feet were cut and stolen.
• May 17 in Gates - A 350-foot section of copper cable was cut and stolen.

The company urges anyone with information about these crimes to contact Verizon Security at 412-633-4902, or the Pennsylvania State Police at 724-439-7111.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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