Buckeye man arrested in connection with state-wide cell tower thefts

PHOENIX — A Buckeye man was arrested Thursday in connection with cell tower thefts across the state, authorities said.

Jeremiah Ramage, 38, allegedly stole communications equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from the cell tower sites in order to sell them online, according to the Buckeye Police Department.

Rampage was booked on charges of burglary, theft and trafficking stolen property.

Details on cell tower thefts

Buckeye police initially responded to the report of a break-in at a cell phone tower in Tartesso off Sun Valley Parkway on June 10. There was reportedly high dollar equipment stolen during the break-in including an industrial router.

When detectives began working with T-Mobile on the incident, they learned there were more than 35 similar break-ins at cell phone towers around the Phoenix metro area.

Police said they also discovered that some of the stolen equipment had been sold eBay.

Information detectives have gathered pointed them toward Ramage.

On Thursday, detectives located Ramage in a pickup truck and conducted a traffic stop near Sun Valley Parkway and Thomas Road.

According to Buckeye police, cell tower equipment linked to burglaries at sites in southern Arizona and a stolen handgun were found inside the truck.

Later, when detectives served a search warrant at Rampage’s home, they reportedly discovered hundreds of items belonging to multiple cell service providers.

Related

24-year-old woman dies after she was found unconscious overnight on Phoenix roadPolice seeking public's help identifying suspects in north Phoenix credit card theft caseHouse fire in Surprise intentionally set by juvenile, police sayBoy dies at Las Vegas hospital after jumping from bridge in Lake Havasu CityArizona ESA accountability proposition must be rewritten to be included on the ballot, judge rulesDefense in Charlie Kirk’s killing say shooter should not get death penalty, hit ‘intended target’