Verizon Offers $5,000 Reward for Information on Phone Cable Thefts, Vandalism in Southern West Virginia
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Verizon is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for recent thefts and vandalism of the company's telephone cables in parts of Logan, Boone and Wyoming counties.
During the past several months, hundreds of feet of aerial copper cable have been cut and stolen. The criminal acts have caused significant telephone service delays and public safety concerns for thousands of Verizon customers and thousands of dollars of damage in communities such as Dingess, Man and Brushton.
"Vandalism not only affects vital telecommunications services but also puts people's lives in danger," said Tom Wood, area manager of customer operations for Verizon West Virginia. "We will not tolerate these deliberate acts against our telephone network and will do everything we can to help law enforcement find and fully prosecute those responsible."
In the last month, the following criminal acts have occurred in Southern West Virginia:
- June 8 in Brushton - A 1,400-foot section of cable serving 300 customers was cut and stolen.
- June 24 in Dingess - A 1,000-foot section of a cable serving several other phone systems was cut and stolen, affecting service for approximately 1,100 customers.
- June 28 in Man - A telephone cable serving 400 customers was cut but not stolen.
The company urges anyone with information about these crimes to contact Verizon's Security Control Center at 1-800-997-3287 and select option three. Those who witness any acts of vandalism in progress should immediately call the West Virginia State Police at 304-792-7000.
With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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