05/05/09: Cable Cops Pull the Plug on Cable Theft

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 05/05/09
Cable theft comes with a tough penalties ranging from fines, misdemeanor charges and possibly time behind bars. Time Warner Cable security and audit teams and Buffalo Police check possible cable theft homes once a week. Many of these sweeps soon turn into possible crime scenes.
YNN cameras were rolling as two men snuck out the back of the abandoned house transmitting a cable use signal. Investigators chased the men down for questioning. The security team found marijuana and baggies throughout the house. The abandoned house turned playhouse was rigged to receive stolen electric and cable service.
“These individuals are that creative to find the resources to connect again. Evidently TV, cable TV must be important for them,” Time Warner Cable security officer Tim McDonald.
Pirated cable costs the cable industry six billion dollars annually.
TWC officials report stolen cable costs six-million dollars across Western New York.