OREANDA-NEWS. April 10, 2013. Verizon is offering a reward of up to USD 50,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individuals responsible for the thefts of copper telephone cables in Lawrence and Washington counties.  The thefts have put public safety at risk for hundreds of customers and have caused unnecessary telephone service outages.

Since the beginning of the year, a dozen incidents have occurred, with more than 9,000 feet of copper cable stolen and more than USD 62,500 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 incidents are incomprehensible because they put people’s lives in danger and can cost thousands of dollars to repair,” said Hank Abbott, director of operations 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.

The company urges anyone with information about these crimes to contact Verizon Security at 1-800-997-3287, or local law enforcement authorities.