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Phony Sprint worker swipes copper wire from Astoria cellphone tower: NYPD

copper wires
Video courtesy of NYPD

Police are looking for a copper wire thief who they say impersonated a Sprint employee to steal the valuable metal from an Astoria rooftop.

The theft happened on top of a residential building on 42nd Street near 31st Avenue about 10:30 a.m. on March 13.

After gaining access to the building’s roof by saying he was a Sprint employee, authorities said, the suspect took cooper grounding wires from one of the company’s cellphone towers. He then fled southbound on 42nd Street while carrying a bundle of the wire.


Police have released video footage of the perpetrator and described him as Hispanic, 40 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, and 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, black boots, a gray sweatshirt and black vest.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or can text their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

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