Copper thieves were so desperate to swipe the metal from a radio tower in Hugo, they cut the tires holding the tower, causing the 500-foot structure to collapse, knocking a local radio station off the air.
“You’ve robbed the community of a voice. You’ve robbed the community of a way to communicate very vital information, especially this time when it’s so incredibly cold,” declared Will Payne.
The Choctaw County Sheriff’s office is investigating and searching for the culprits who left an estimated $500,000 in damage, reported Fox 25 News.
The tower was owned by KITX radio based in Hugo and serving the Paris, Texas area. The station is owned by Payne Media Group LLC and was knocked off the air.