2 arrested in vandalism of Comcast lines in Liberty

Liberty police have arrested two people suspected of cutting fiber optic cable, interrupting TV, phone and Internet service to thousands of Comcast customers, authorities said.

Benjamin Michel Alexander, 38, of Liberty, and Bobby Lynn Nettles, 33, of Crosby, were arrested Dec. 12 on charges of criminal mischief, a state jail felony, according to a news release from the Liberty Police Department.

Alexander was released on bond, while Nettles remained Tuesday in the Liberty County Jail on $5,000 bond, according to online law enforcement records.

An investigation into the vandalism, which has no clear motive, continues, said Liberty police detective Jennifer Bowles.

The latest incident, which caused an estimated $12,000 in damage, occurred Dec. 6 near U.S. 90 at Texaco Road in Liberty, Comcast officials said in a news release.

"We applaud the efforts of the Liberty Police Department in their apprehension of these two individuals," Ralph Martinez, senior vice president for Comcast's Houston region, said in a prepared statement. "Over the course of the last several months, there have been continued incidents of fiber optic cables being intentionally severed. In each case the disruption of service prevents people from utilizing the 9-1-1 system to contact the first responders sworn to protect them."

Police investigators are working with Comcast and the Harris County Sheriff's Department on cases with similar circumstances, the Comcast release said.

Last month, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Harris County Sheriff's Office announced a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the filing of felony charges or an arrest of a suspect.

In Harris County, the incidents started in September in unincorporated areas.

Comcast urged the public to contact local law enforcement if they see anyone who appears to be working on the cables but is not clearly identifiable by a company vehicle, uniform or badge.

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2 arrested in vandalism of Comcast lines in Liberty