Police investigate power shutdown at Verizon facilities
State police are investigating after power was purposely shut down at two Verizon locations, resulting in lost phone and computer service for more than 20 hours.
Trooper Timothy A. Kirsch said two locked and secured underground vaults owned by Verizon were entered between 9:27 and 9:34 p.m. Tuesday and that power was shut down at both locations.
The vaults are located in North Union Township.
Kirsch said whoever entered the units had keys for the vaults.
“The acts committed by the actors caused substantial interruption and impairment of public communication and public service, which causes this crime to be raised to the level of a felony,” Kirsch said.
Kirsch said the acts resulted in the loss of communication, data and cell phone service for 29 hours to almost all of the Lemont Furnace area, including several local businesses.
In addition, Kirsch said the state police barracks in Uniontown was without phone and computer service for 21 hours, which placed all of Fayette County at risk in regards to emergency services.
Kirsch said police are investigating all leads and anticipates future arrests.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-439-7111.
About 45,000 Verizon landline workers from Massachusetts to Virginia have been on strike since Sunday, citing a reduction in benefits and an increase in healthcare costs.
Contract talks continued Wednesday.