Authorities ask for public’s help in solving theft of 1-ton generator
The Palestine Herald – Texas
PALESTINE — Anderson County sheriff’s authorities are seeking the public’s help in the “brazen theft” of a nearly 1-ton generator from a cell phone tower site the day before Thanksgiving.
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said the generator, which is approximately 6 1/2 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, was stolen from a Verizon Wireless cell phone tower site off of the south side of U.S. 79 East, just west of the intersection of FM 2574 near Neches.
Computer logs show that the theft possibly occurred around 4 p.m. on Nov. 25.
The sheriff said the generator weighs approximately 1,600 pounds empty and holds up to 140 gallons of diesel fuel.
“It’s a 50,000 kilowatt generator valued at $15,000,” Taylor said. “…The computer logs showed some power disruption on the 25th (of November).”
Authorities were contacted early Tuesday afternoon by a network technician for Verizon who had traveled to Anderson County to investigate any potential issues with the tower. Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chason responded to the call.
“They (the intruders) had cut the lock off the gate” to gain access to the area, Taylor said.
The sheriff further stated the perpetrators likely backed a trailer up to the generator “and then had to use some sort of tool to cut the generator off the slab.”
Multiple persons could not physically lift the generator, according to the sheriff.
“They had to have the proper equipment to do it,” Taylor said. “…This is a brazen theft.”
The generator is bright green in color, according to authorities.
The sheriff said the tower site is visible to motorists traveling on U.S. 79.
“You’re looking at a painstaking job,” Taylor said. “If a citizen drives by, they’re probably thinking somebody is working on the cell phone tower. Maybe this will jog somebody’s memory.”
Authorities currently have no suspects, he added.
Anderson County Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the case.
To contact Crimestoppers, call (903) 729-TIPS (8477).
