Spokane Valley Cell Tower Theft Will Cost Company $17,500

Copper wiring is being stolen from cell phone towers in many cities so the thieves can sell the copper for profit.  Recently, someone stole the copper wire from a Spokane Valley cell tower that will cost the business $17,500 to replace. As of 1:45pm EST today, the price of copper per lb. was  $3.2975.

“An employee of the company, which houses equipment for AT&T, Nextel and Cricket, alerted sheriff’s deputies Tuesday to a burglary occurring sometime during the last two weeks,” according to The Spokesman-Review.

Copper wiring was also taken from the ground and the building itself. A grounding bar used to protect workers and equipment from high voltage, stamped with a “Do Not Recycle” notice, was also stolen.