Cable Theft Causes AT&T Internet Outage in Ione, California: Three Arrested

One minute, the internet works. The next, an entire area goes quiet, and the cause isn’t a storm or a software bug but someone with a ladder and a plan. That’s what happened in Ione, California, this week.

AT&T Incident : Overview

Detail	Information
Date	Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Location	Ione area, Amador County, California
Impact	Widespread AT&T internet outage
Cause	Fiber optic cables cut and stripped
Arrests	Three people
Bail	$20,000 each, per the report

Three people were arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including disruption of a utility system, after cutting and stripping fiber optic cables in the Ione area. They are accused, and all three denied knowledge of the theft.

How Police Spotted It?

The case turned on quick thinking. Dispatch staff noticed communications anomalies similar to earlier incidents where suspects severed lines to steal raw materials. Officers headed to the area around Highway 88 and Highway 124, based on past attempts there.

What They Found?

On arrival, officers discovered an unoccupied vehicle, tools, a ladder and signs of recent activity where lines were being cut and stripped. A licence plate reader then helped. It showed the suspect vehicle, with a ladder strapped in its bed, being driven in the Stockton area hours earlier.

The Arrests

Around 8:30 PM, three people were seen emerging from a wooded area and were contacted by deputies nearly a mile from the cut lines. They are aged 54 to 67 and come from Stockton and Modesto. They told deputies they had gone into the woods to use the restroom. ledger

The Charges

They were booked on charges of grand theft, vandalism, disruption of a utility system and conspiracy to commit a crime. One was also charged with possessing a controlled substance. Charges are allegations until proven in court. ledger

Why Do Thieves Target Cables?

The motive is usually materials. Metal inside telecom lines can be sold as scrap, but the damage to communities is far greater than the payout. For background on the wider problem, see the copper theft Wikipedia page.

Who Gets Hurt?

When a line is cut, the fallout spreads fast:

Households lose internet and phone service.
Small businesses can’t process card payments.
Emergency communication can be disrupted, which is the most serious risk.

What You Can Do?

If you spot suspicious activity near cables or utility boxes, don’t confront anyone. Note the vehicle details, stay at a safe distance and call local police. Report outages to your provider, and keep a mobile data backup for emergencies.

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