Police are searching for delinquents who cut the fiber-optic cables killing landlines, cell phones and Internet service in the region covering Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The incident happened Thursday and it managed to freeze operations of many institutions such as hospitals, banks fire departments and other that rely of 911 calls.
Tens of thousands of people in Silicon Valley faced the same situation. Police said that probably saboteurs opened manhole covers in San Jose and San Carlos early in the morning and cut the fiber optic cables of AT&T and Sprint.
Authorities estimated that more than 52,000 Verizon customers were left without landline and wireless Internet service. Numerous AT&T customers faced the same problem and the company said it is offering $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the delinquents. However, the full extent of the damage will probably be clearer in a few days.
"It was substantial," said John Britton, spokesman for AT&T, referring to the extent of the damage.
In San Jose, four of the five underground fiber optic cables were cut. Although it’s pretty obvious, police are investigating whether the cut was done on purpose, The San Jose Mercury News reported. The cables that were cut are 10 feet underground, but they could be accessed through a manhole cover. The cables are owned by AT&T and were leased to Verizon.
"I pity the individuals who have done this," said San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
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