Fiber lines intentionally cut causes internet outage in Moore

Spectrum fiber lines were deliberately cut in Southern Pines on Sunday morning, leaving thousands without internet access. Spectrum was notified of the damage about 4 a.m. when alarms sounded notifying them of an outage on Old Morganton Road.

Sandhills Sentinel

According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, the Southern Pines Police were contacted around 11 a.m. after crews noticed what appeared to be malicious damage. Southern Pines Police notified the Sheriff’s Department when they determined the actual areas of the damaged lines were in the county’s jurisdiction. 

The lines were cut in two separate areas that were close to 100 feet from each other. The lines are approximately 35 feet above the ground. Some of the affected customers were in Pinehurst, Foxfire, West End, Southern Pines and Carthage.

Moore County Public Safety said on its Facebook page around 1 p.m., “Moore County Public Safety is aware of a Charter Spectrum service outage that may affect your ability to call or text 9-1-1. Charter Spectrum has been notified and is working to resolve the issue. If you are unable to reach 9-1-1, please go to your nearest fire department for assistance.” 

“This incident appears to have been an attempted larceny of wire, as opposed to a targeted attack on network infrastructure for the sole purpose of disruption,” said Fields in a press release. “However, the Moore County Sheriff’s will pursue all potential motives as information becomes available. Law enforcement has noted an increase in wire thefts, especially across the northern end of Moore County in recent months. Damage from this incident is currently estimated at over $50,000.”

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 910-947-4444 or anonymously through the Moore County Sheriff’s Office app.

Spectrum is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible. Anyone with information can contact Spectrum at 833-404-TIPS (8477) or reach out directly to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

This incident reminds many Moore County residents of Dec. 3, 2022, when two Duke Energy electrical substations in Carthage and West End were damaged by gunfire, knocking out power for five days for 45,000 residents and businesses. One person died as a result of the power outage.

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