Linger Lodge cell tower burglarized

A cell tower on Linger Lodge Road was damaged extensively, after someone broke into the site and stole copper wiring.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states the incident occurred sometime in the early morning hours of Aug. 22. Unknown person(s) entered the tower site at 8210 Linger Lodge Road by cutting a small hole in the fence. Once inside, person(s) started cutting ground wires to all the equipment and buildings.

Person(s) cut the power to the site by cutting wires in main power breaker boxes outside the fense. The person(s) also disabled a generator unit and opened junction boxes. The person(s) pried on a door of one of the buildings, but was unable to enter it, the report states.

The amount of theft and damages were extensive, but no estimates have been released at this time.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].