BURNT PRAIRIE, Ill. - Copper has been a hot commodity for thieves this holiday season, with spots in Wayne and Clay counties being destination locations...but now, rural White County has been hit.
White County Sheriff Doug Maier said that Jim Funkhouser of Mobile Radio Specialists called the sheriff's department yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, December 12, at about 1:44 p.m.) to report a theft from his tower in the Burnt Prairie area.
An officer met with Funkhouser at the tower site at County Road 2400N just east of County Road 800E. Funkhouser showed the officer where stuspects had cut the back side of the fence surrounding the tower to gain entry. Once inside, they cut come copper wire grounds.
They also removed the panel from two electric meters, but it didn't appear that either one was damaged.
A security light mounted to the building at the tower was knocked from the building.
A second fenced area around a second tower not owned by Funkhouser was also entered by cutting the lock from the gate. A panel was removed from the electric panel but did not appear there was any damage.
Funkhouser said he was unsure who actually owned that tower, but knew it was used by Verizon.
Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's department at 618-382-5321.