Fiber optic cable ‘deliberately cut’ in Mecklenburg, impacting 400 homes

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Nearly 1,000 residents lost phone and broadband service after someone "deliberately cut" a fiber optic cable in Mecklenburg County on Thursday.

On Friday, July 25, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office shared a Facebook post made by the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC), an area electrical provider.

The company said that, between 3 and 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, someone "deliberately cut" a Mecklenburg Electric/EMPOWER Broadband fiber optic line that runs along Highway 15 near Longwood Campground.

This line provides both EMPOWER and MEC customers with communication network services, including phone and broadband.

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By cutting the line, the suspect caused 400 homes to lose access to the network, per MEC. As of Thursday, nearly 1,000 residents cannot use their usual communications services at all -- including to dial 911 -- because of this.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation into this incident.

"Accordingly, MEC and EMPOWER are requesting your assistance to identify the perpetrator who has so recklessly violated the safety of our residents," the company said. "EMPOWER Broadband and Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."

MEC and EMPOWER are offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.

If you know anything about this incident, you are asked to call 911.