$240K Worth Of Batteries Stolen From Mahwah Cell Towers: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — Police are investigating the theft of 64 batteries worth more than $240,000 from two Verizon Wireless cell towers in Mahwah recently, police said.

A field engineer from Verizon noticed the batteries were missing while inspecting the towers. The area where the batteries were is fenced in and secured with locks, nuts and screws that had been removed, said Chief James Batelli.

Forty batteries were missing from one tower and 24 from another, the chief said. The batteries provided backup power to the towers in the event of a power outage. They each weigh about 40 pounds and the cost to replace one is about $10,000. Police think the batteries are being resold at scrap yards because they contain lead, the chief said.

The alarm system to the one cabinet where the batteries were was disengaged so law enforcement personnel were not notified of the break-in, Batelli said.

Cell phone service was never interrupted as a result of the thefts.

Similar thefts have been reported in Cedar Grove and in Pennsylvania, Texas and California.

Detective Sgt. Kevin Hebert is investigating the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 201-831-2000.

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