Help Police Catch Missouri Copper Thieves, $20K Reward Offered

Someone has been stealing loads of copper in Missouri and there is now a huge reward for information that brings the thieves to justice.

AT&T has announced that they have been negatively impacted by numerous thefts of copper cable

The press release shared by AT&T says they've experienced copper cable thefts in many places, but 3 locations have especially become a problem: California, Texas and Missouri. Here's what they're offering to stop the theft of this valuable material in Missouri:

"In Missouri, we are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in copper cable thefts."

The problem is much more costly and complicated than simply the value of the wire. When thieves steal installed copper cable, AT&T has to send technicians in to repair and replace the stolen cable. By the time you factor in network downtime and labor costs, copper theft is costing them a small fortune.

The company says that copper is targeting more often than fiber because of its high value due to the need for it in "electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, electrical wiring" along with many other applications. They say that between June and December of 2024 alone they had 6,000 reported copper theft incidents in Missouri. That is stunning.

What can you do if you have information about a Missouri copper theft?

They recommend you contact call local law enforcement and AT&T Global Security at (800) 807‐4205. The $20,000 reward offer is valid for tips received until February 1, 2026.