AT&T is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of thieves who have been stealing copper from cell sites in the Phoenix area, the company said Tuesday.

Local AT&T cell sites have been hit 20 times this year by copper thieves, a company spokesman said.

A cell site is where antennas and other mobile-communications equipment are placed, usually on a tower or the roof of a tall building, to receive and transmit calls in a cellular network.

Thieves have been stealing copper from AT&T's cell sites, knocking out wireless phone and Internet service to customers in the immediate area, company representatives said.

Each time a cell site is hit, AT&T crews must scramble to repair the damage and restore service to the area as quickly as possible.

"AT&T takes this matter very seriously," said Jerry Fuentes, AT&T's Arizona and New Mexico state president. "These are not just attacks against AT&T's network, they are attacks on our wireless customers living in these communities who are often left isolated and unable to seek help or assistance during emergencies."

The reward is designed to get area residents involved in helping police catch the thieves, Fuentes said.

"We're hoping the reward will motivate people in Phoenix to be more alert and to pay close attention to any suspicious people who appear to be working on our cell sites," he said.

Sgt. Jeffrey Glover of the Tempe Police Department said copper theft at cell sites is a common problem throughout metro Phoenix .

As a result, area law-enforcement agencies have been working together to share information, he said.

The $5,000 reward is a positive step toward cracking down on the copper theft problem, Glover said.

"We applaud AT&T for taking steps to control this issue and hope more people will come forward to report suspicious activity," he said.

AT&T is asking members of the public to report any suspicious activity at its cell sites to local police, or to call the company at 800-807-4205.

Reach the reporter at craig.anderson@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8681.

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