Grayson County man accused of stealing copper wire resulting in loss of internet for hundreds of customers
LEITCHFIELD, Ky. – An arrest has been made in the investigation of copper wire thefts from a Grayson County internet provider.
According to a release from the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), several residents reported thefts of Kinetic communications wire throughout the county over the last few weeks. Residents told GCSO that the copper wire lines were cut, damaged and/or removed.
GCSO is collaborating with Kinetic, local scrap yards, and other law enforcement partners to identify suspects in the thefts.
Deputies say information obtained during the investigation uncovered that the stolen communications wire is “being stripped and sold as scrap copper.” This information led to the identification of a suspect.
During an interview with the suspect, deputies obtained Information linking the suspect to the theft, transportation, stripping, and sale of the stolen wire.
According to K105, the suspect is 51-year-old Jody Grant, of Grayson County.
Grant was arrested on July 2 and lodged at the Grayson County Detention Center. He is charged with interfering with communications, theft by unlawful taking (more than $10,000, less than $1 million) and first-degree criminal mischief.
GCSO says other suspects are likely to be charged and arrested.
A spokesperson for Kinetic told K105, “In total, we lost numerous locations, including 2 cell towers across the last 2-3 weeks, resulting in over 500 impacted customers, with thefts occurring as recently as two nights ago. This results in dangerous outages for our customers and threatens essential services, including emergency responders like fire, police and 911, and healthcare facilities.”
The investigation is ongoing.
