Theft of copper cable in Unity disrupts phone service

State police are investigating vandalism to a Verizon cable in Unity that interrupted cell phone and Internet service to about 1,800 customers.

The incident occurred between 5 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 a.m. Monday in a wooded area near the intersection of routes 30 and 982, Trooper James McCutcheon said.

Someone cut and stole two sections of the copper cable, totaling about 47 feet, and damaged three utility poles, McCutcheon said.

The stolen cable has a replacement cost of about $5,000, the cost of replacing the damaged utility poles is about $3,600, and Verizon estimated that it will cost a total of about $35,000 to repair the damage, McCutcheon said.

Anyone with information can call the Greensburg barracks at 724-832-3288.