An apparent thief failed in attempt to steal copper wire from the WTBF radio station AM tower over the weekend, but caused over $2,500 of damage in the process.

Troy police responded to the 100 block of Radio Station Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. after the damage was reported.

“Officers met with an employee of WTBF Radio who advised that he was responding to an alarm activation at the site when he found an open gate,” said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr. “The gate is usually secured with a chain and a lock. The chain had been cut and someone entered the site and caused extensive damage to grounding equipment inside. Some of the copper used to provide a ground for the tower had been cut and pulled down.”

Barr said no material appeared to have been taken from the site, but station employees estimated the cost to repair the damage would be greater than $2,500, which makes the crime first-degree criminal mischief, a Class C Felony.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact police at 334-566-0500 or to call the secret witness line at 334-566-5555.