Copper Thefts Surge in Dallas-Fort Worth, Costing AT&T Over $1 Million in Damages
DALLAS – Copper theft is on the rise across the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, and the consequences are hitting hard. AT&T reports that copper theft incidents have already cost the company more than $1 million in repairs—and Texas now ranks third highest nationwide in such crimes across AT&T’s network.
Far from being a victimless crime, copper theft is directly affecting local residents and businesses, with many suffering loss of phone and internet services due to damaged infrastructure.
One AT&T building in Dallas, home to critical network equipment, has been broken into at least a dozen times. In one alarming incident caught on video, a thief used a chain and truck to tear open a rear access door before stealing copper wiring from a generator system.
The issue isn’t limited to buildings. AT&T shared photos showing copper stripped from utility poles across North Texas, and workers like Miguel Flores, a cable splicer in Dallas, say thieves are now going underground—literally.
“These manholes are filled with toxic fumes,” Flores explained. “Anyone going in without proper equipment or training could lose their life.”
Many manholes reach depths of 20 feet, and the underground cables aren’t easily replaceable. Copper components must often be custom-ordered, delaying service restoration.
In a push to combat the problem, AT&T is urging the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The company is also offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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