Four suspects have been charged with vandalizing and stealing utility wires earlier this month in Fremont, causing outages to thousands of customers.
On May 9, several suspects allegedly cut down fiber-optic and coaxial cables in the 2100 block of Peralta Boulevard, Fremont police said in a news release.
The cuts caused about $50,000 in damages and disrupted internet, phone, television, and home security services for approximately 10,000 customers.
Fremont police obtained surveillance footage showing the suspects and their vehicles near the crime scene.
On May 13, the suspects returned to the area and allegedly stole about $5,000 worth of additional cable from the same place, police said.
On May 20, the same suspects were seen by police detectives engaged in similar activity in other parts of Fremont.
Detectives carried out a search warrant on the suspect vehicle and one of the suspect’s homes as part of the investigation.
The four suspects were identified as Fremont residents David Elmore, Nicole Elmore, Eric Kosskela, and Marc Rice.
They have been charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with crimes that include damaging/tampering with telephone/electrical lines, felony vandalism, grand theft and an enhancement based on the damages exceeding $200,000.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the incidents is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department Investigations Unit by calling (510) 790-6900. The Fremont Police Department also accepts anonymous tips. Text ‘Tip FremontPD’ followed by your short message to 888-777 or via the web.