Rash of copper wire thefts, cell phone tower tampering continues An estimated $2,000 worth of copper wire from a cell phone tower in Berlin Township was stolen recently, one incident among many reported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in the past two months. The latest theft was discovered March 6 in an open field in the 9500 block of Brandon Rd. in Newport, a deputy’s report said. Two panel boxes owned by AT&T were opened outside and the wire was removed, the report said. The offender also stole some ground wiring, it was noted. The $2,000 estimate included repairing five PVC pipes and plastic housing that were damaged during the incident.