TEMPE, AZ (CBS5) -
AT&T is tired of cleaning up after crooks, so now the company is offering you some big bucks to help them bust the bad guys.
The company is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of copper thieves.
Jerry Fuentes, AT&T Arizona and New Mexico state president, says copper thieves have hit cell sites 20 times so far this year. The latest theft came in just the last few days at a location in Tempe.
"We're working hard to combat the problem. We're working with law enforcement," Fuentes said. "But we all need to do more. AT&T's part is to offer a cash reward that leads to information that leads to the conviction or arrest of individuals that commit these crimes."
The company has signs posted at its cell sites with the number you can call to report copper thefts.
"We're going to make this offer retroactive to the beginning of the year all the way through Dec. 31 of the end of the year 2012."
According to Fuentes, each break-in and theft at cell sites costs the company thousands of dollars.
If you see a copper theft in progress at an AT&T site, call 1-800-807-4205. Callers can remain anonymous.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
