State police are investigating a series of thefts involving Verizon cables taken along rural and state roads over the past few months.
One of these thefts was reported by troopers in Green Township between December 17th and 22nd, as thieves stole $7000 worth of copper wire from a Verizon utility line on Purchase Line Road near Vanderbilt Street. Several other incidents are being investigated by Troop C, which covers the northern part of Indiana County and six other counties. Investigators believe that the thefts are connected based on what was stolen, the methods used to remove the cable and similarities in locations. In at least one incident a white Ford F-150 pickup truck with a partial license plate of ZTH was seen leaving the area. It may have been seen stopped along rural roads or beneath overhead utility lines.
People are being asked to be alert for people cutting or removing wire from utility poles; vehicles stopped alongside rural roads for extended periods of time, especially at night; pickup or utility vehicles parked under overhead utility lines; and people using power tools or cutters near utility poles. If anything is suspicious, call 911.
