Cable Thefts Knock Out Service For 10,000 Residents

Fremont police said on May 28 that four Fremont residents were arrested after a series of utility wire thefts earlier in May cut internet, phone, television and home security service for about 10,000 customers. The department said suspects targeted fiber-optic and coaxial lines at multiple locations across the city, beginning with a May 9 theft in the 2100 block of Peralta Boulevard. Police said that first incident caused about $50,000 in damage. Alameda County prosecutors have since filed felony cases against the four suspects, according to police and local media reports. ### Where did the outages start? The 2100 block of Peralta Boulevard was the site of the first major theft on May 9, Fremont police said. Investigators said several suspects cut down fiber-optic and coaxial cables there, disrupting service to thousands of customers and damaging communications infrastructure used for internet, phone, television and home security connections. (fremontpolice.gov) May 13 brought a second theft at the same Peralta Boulevard location, police said. Fremont police said suspects returned and stole about $5,000 more in cable after the earlier outage and damage. ### How did police connect the thefts across Fremont? May 20 was the next key date in the investigation, according to Fremont police. Officers said they identified similar wire thefts in other parts of Fremont and linked them to the same group through surveillance and investigative work. (fremontpolice.gov) Four Fremont residents were later arrested, the department said, though the police release summarized the case without listing all of the investigative steps publicly. (fremontpolice.gov) Local reports citing police said the group was accused of stealing more than $55,000 in fiber-optic and coaxial cable during the month. ### Who was charged, and with what? Alameda County prosecutors charged four Fremont residents in connection with the thefts, according to Fremont police and Local News Matters. (fremontpolice.gov) The suspects were identified as Joseph Duenas, 30, Jose Aguilar, 38, Eric Ochoa, 40, and Christopher Martinez, 31. Felony counts include grand theft, vandalism, conspiracy and cutting utility lines, according to Local News Matters and SFGATE. (fremontpolice.gov) The cases stem from allegations that the group repeatedly cut and removed communications cable for resale or scrap value, though police did not publicly describe a motive in their May 28 release. ### Why did cable theft create such a broad service failure? (localnewsmatters.org) Fiber-optic and coaxial lines carry multiple consumer services at once, and Fremont police said the damaged lines knocked out internet, phone, television and home security service. The department put the number of affected customers at approximately 10,000. Comcast’s Xfinity support pages say outage notices can list the cause of a disruption and estimated repair times for affected addresses. (localnewsmatters.org) Comcast’s public outage map does not provide a historical archive visible without account-specific access, so police statements remain the clearest public account of the Fremont disruption. ### What happens next in the case? The May 28 police release said the investigation remains active and asked anyone with information to contact Fremont police. (fremontpolice.gov) Alameda County court proceedings are expected to determine whether the four defendants are held to answer on the felony charges reported by local outlets. Patch and other Bay Area outlets have continued to post follow-up reporting on the arrests and charging decisions. (xfinity.com) Fremont police said additional updates would depend on the ongoing investigation and prosecution. (msn.com) (fremontpolice.gov)