Fiber Optic Cable Theft In RivCo Disrupts Internet Locally; 1 Arrested

PERRIS, CA — One person was arrested this week on suspicion of stealing and damaging fiber optic cables, which knocked out internet service for residents and multiple public safety locations in the Perris area.

On Wednesday, police arrested Jordani De La Rosa-Vasquez, a 31-year-old resident of Perris, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The first report of theft came in on July 15 at 9:56 a.m., when deputies assigned to the Perris Sheriff's Station were sent to the Nuevo Road and Pico Avenue.

The person who reported the theft told deputies that internet and fiber optic cables had been damaged and stolen, spurring internet outages across the area, police said.

Authorities estimated the cost of the theft and damage at $25,000.

Then, on July 23, another theft was reported near Lakeview Avenue and 11th Street in Nuevo, where deputies found a suspect vehicle. Days later, on Tuesday, yet another theft of cable was reported near Highway 74 and Theda Street, in Goodhope, where approximately $5,000 of fiber optic cable was stolen, the sheriff's department said.

On Wednesday, deputies found what they believed to be the suspect vehicle along the 22000 block of Alviso Road. Police pulled the vehicle over and reportedly found a large amount of wire consistent with the thefts.

De La Rosa-Vasquez was taken into custody, and a search warrant was served at the residence, where more evidence was recovered, police said.

De La Rosa-Vasquez was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on charges of grand theft, felony vandalism and felony damage to utility lines, authorities said.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Investigator Barbee at the Perris Sheriff's Station at 951-210-1000.