Verizon Offering $50K Reward in Pennsylvania Copper Thefts

Verizon is offering a $50,000 reward to help catch thieves who are stealing copper wire from its telephone poles in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Stealing scrap metal is nothing new, but Verizon says these thieves aren’t stealing scrap — they’re stealing copper wire that is actively in use, cutting off service to its customers in the process.

The phone company is targeting thefts in the Farmington, Fayette County area about 40 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Verizon says the thefts have already caused about $20,000 in damages, and could prevent someone from calling 911 in an emergency.