Fiber vandals may be disguised as telecommunications maintenance workers
The FBI is looking into a string of vandalism incidents targeting fiber-optic cables in Northern California.
The latest incident was reported on June 9; an AT&T fiber-optic cable in Walnut Creek, Calif., was severed, prompting the carrier to offer up a $1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
The cable tampering led to a gap in wireless and landline service for area AT&T customers.
AT&T technicians quickly repaired the cable, according to a spokesman, who also noted that 911 service was not affected, according to the Walnut Creek Patch.
The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential suspects involved in the incidents, according to numerous Bay Area media reports.
“Anyone who may have been in these areas during these times and saw anything either suspicious or related to normal telecommunications maintenance is urged to contact the FBI,” Special Agent Greg Wuthrich said. “The individuals may appear to be normal telecommunications maintenance workers or possess tools consistent with that job role.”
In addition to the most recent act of vandalism in Walnut Creek near Jones Road and Parkside Road, the FBI has recorded nine other incidents since July 2014:
- July 6, 2014, 9:44 p.m., near 7th Street and Grayson Street in Berkeley.
- July 6, 2014, 11:39 p.m., near Niles Canyon Boulevard and Mission Boulevard in Fremont.
- July 7, 2014, 12:24 a.m., near Jones Road and Iron Horse Trail in Walnut Creek.
- July 7, 2014, 12:51 a.m., near Niles Canyon Boulevard and Alameda Creek in Fremont.
- July 7, 2014, 2:13 a.m., near Stockton Avenue and University Avenue in San Jose.
- Feb. 24, 2015, 11:30 p.m., near Niles Canyon Boulevard and Mission Boulevard in Fremont.
- Feb. 24, 2015, 11:30 p.m., near Niles Canyon Boulevard and Alameda Creek in Fremont.
- June 8, 2015, 11:00 p.m., near Danville Boulevard and Rudgear Road in Alamo.
- June 8, 2015, 11:40 p.m., near Overacker Avenue and Mowray Avenue in Fremont.
