HCSO: Cable Cut In Bayside
Subject: Felony Vandalism Case: 201301905
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On 4-17-2013, approximately 4:15 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of another vandalism to Suddenlinks Fiber Optic Cable that had occurred in the area of Lorenz Lane and Old Arcata Road, Bayside. The damaged cable was cut. The unknown suspect(s) used a culvert pipe to stand on to allow them access to the elevated cable. The suspect(s) are believed to have used a cutting instrument to cut the line. Suddenlink is estimating the damage to the line costing at least $25,000.00 and the line will not be repaired for a minimum of eight to ten hours. Areas affected are Arcata, McKinleyville, Trinidad and Big Lagoon. Suddenlink estimates over 10,000 customers do not have internet, cable television or telephone service including 911.
To date there have been five vandalisms to Suddenlinks Fiber Optic Cables. Total estimated damage by Suddenlink to repair the lines is now estimated to be at least $75,000.00. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and Suddenlink are encouraging the public to call in any suspicious activity they may observe near telephone/ cable lines, especially during the late night/ early morning hours.
This is an on-going investigation and the Sheriff’s Office is actively working to identify a suspect or suspects in these crimes and to stop further vandalisms and interruptions to Suddenlink’s services. Detectives have interviewed several people regarding this crime.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Kirkpatrick of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 707-268-3640 or the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 707-268-2539.
Suddenlink is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) that are responsible for these crimes.
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Previous Press Releases
On 3-8-2013, approximately 10:30 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Plant Manager of Suddenlink, that an unknown suspect(s) cut the companies Fiber Optic Cable at approximately 12:17 a.m. today. Repair crews were immediately notified of an outage, and when they responded to the underground vault located near Grizzly Bluff Road and Blue Slide Road, Ferndale they discovered the line was intentionally cut and approximately 24 feet of Fiber Optic Cable was stolen. The damaged line caused approximately 1000 customers to lose telephone service including 911, along with internet and cable.
Approximately two hours later service on another Suddenlink Fiber Optic Cable was lost in the Trinidad area. When Suddenlink repair crews arrived at the location of the damage on Scenic Drive, Trinidad near the US 101 southbound onramp, they discovered that line had been cut. Approximately 950 customers were affected by the loss of that line.
On 3-13-13 at about 1100 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Suddenlink and advised of vandalism to their Fiber Optic Cable. This is the fourth vandalism to Suddenlink’s Fiber Optic Service since March 8, 2013. The most recent vandalism is believed to have occurred in the 3400 block of Old Arcata Road however Suddenlink is still attempting to identify the exact location. The Sheriff’s Office responded to the area last night and did not locate any suspects or find obvious signs of where the cable was damaged.
Sheriff’s Investigators are currently on scene investigating this crime and Suddenlink personnel are working to repair the Fiber Optic Cable. Suddenlink previously estimated the repair costs to be approximately $10,000, per site. The vandalisms have occurred in the areas of Ferndale, Trinidad and now Bayside.
Mike Downey Sheriff
