Copper theft is emerging as a major threat to telecommunications infrastructure across Eastern Kentucky, prompting AT&T to introduce a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of copper theft suspects.
AT&T said copper theft and vandalism are creating significant disruptions for communities, damaging communications networks, increasing repair costs, and jeopardizing public safety. The company noted that local and state lawmakers have adopted stronger policies to provide law enforcement with additional tools to address the growing problem.
Carlos E. Sanchez, President – AT&T Kentucky, said in a blog post that the effectiveness of coordinated action is already visible in Louisville, where focused enforcement efforts and local regulations have helped reduce theft incidents dramatically.
After experiencing as many as three copper wire theft incidents per day during late 2023 and early 2024, AT&T Kentucky reported a 90 percent decline in theft incidents affecting its network between January 2025 and January 2026. The company recorded zero incidents in Louisville during February and March 2026.
While Louisville has seen significant improvements, theft activity has increasingly shifted to Eastern Kentucky, particularly Pike County and surrounding regions. In one recent case, law enforcement arrested a suspect linked to stolen AT&T telecommunications cable, supported by surveillance video evidence.
The impact of copper theft extends far beyond property damage. In Martin County, the theft and cutting of fiber-optic and phone lines caused a widespread outage that prevented residents from accessing 911 emergency services. Another incident in January 2026 involved the theft of approximately 1,500 feet of telecommunications cable, disrupting internet services across multiple counties and knocking out 911 lines in Estill County for about five hours.
Repeated cable theft incidents have also affected residents in Laurel, Clay, Knox, and Estill counties, limiting access to emergency responders, public safety services, and law enforcement communications. AT&T emphasized that these crimes represent attacks on infrastructure that communities depend on daily.
The scale of the challenge remains significant. AT&T reported 99 copper theft incidents in Kentucky so far in 2026, resulting in approximately $500,000 in repair costs. During 2025, the company recorded 205 theft incidents that generated $1.6 million in repair expenses and disrupted services for more than 8,000 residential and business customers.
To strengthen enforcement, Kentucky lawmakers passed Senate Bill 291 during the 2026 legislative session. The legislation establishes a statewide licensing and oversight system for secondary metals recyclers and enhances reporting requirements for metal transactions. Recyclers must now submit additional information to a state database, including copies of seller identification, photographs of sellers’ vehicles, and images of materials being sold.
AT&T said every theft incident damages network infrastructure, creates avoidable service outages, and diverts resources that could otherwise be used to maintain services and expand fiber broadband deployments. The company is encouraging residents to report suspicious activity around utility lines, network facilities, and telecommunications equipment. Anonymous tips can be submitted through local law enforcement agencies or AT&T Global Security at 1-800-807-4205.
AT&T’s Carlos E. Sanchez believes continued cooperation among communities, lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and service providers will be essential to reducing copper theft, protecting public safety, and ensuring reliable communications services across Kentucky.
SHAFANA FAZAL