$250K for Information
Initially offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for severing fiber-optic cables in Northern California, AT&T has increased its reward to $250,000. Last Thursday morning, unidentified vandals cut four fiber-optic lines in San Carlos and South San Jose, CA, affecting thousands of Internet, wireless, and home phone customers.
South San Jose teams spent Thursday vigorously repairing the telecom company’s fiber-optic cables. Several worked in a manhole at Blossom Hill Road and Monterey Highway, some eight feet underground. Others worked above ground, inches away from a sign reading, “Warning: Buried Fiber Optic Cable in This Vicinity. Call Before You Dig.” Officials found more severed cables at Cottle Road and Hayes Avenue, which disrupted the service in the Silver Creek Valley, Tures, and Hellyer neighborhoods.
"We have zero tolerance for any criminal who would attack our network and harm customers," stated AT&T Spokesperson, John Britton. "We're going to aggressively work with law enforcement to see those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The crime disrupted the service of wireless subscribers from various national carriers, as AT&T’s network is responsible for connecting these carriers to their respective cell towers. According to officials, San Jose and Santa Clara residents were without emergency 911 access for most of Thursday. AT&T’s service was fully functional in less than 24 hours.
According Ronnie Lopez, San Jose Police Sergeant, AT&T’s cut lines appeared to be intentional. Local law enforcement is regarding the incident as a felony act of vandalism. Although the FBI has been informed about the crime, the police department plans to conduct the investigation, Lopez stated.
A Sprint Nextel-owned line in San Carlos, CA was also cut.