Man charged in theft from Lincoln County cell tower

Lincoln County sheriff’s detectives arrested a Lowell man in connection with a break-in and theft from a western Lincoln County cell tower site.

Detective David Brooks charged Brandon Jackson Kirby, 34, with one felony count of larceny and one misdemeanor count each of first-degree trespassing and injury to real property.

On or about May 3, investigators said, the Verizon Wireless cell tower site on County Line Trail was entered and $10,000 worth of HVAC coils were removed.

Kirby faces similar charges in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties, sheriff’s investigators said.

Lincoln County detectives said they are still investigating cell tower break-ins and thefts and break-ins to AT&T hubs.

Break-ins and thefts occurred at the Verizon cell tower on Orchard Road and Fox Meadow Lane in Iron Station, investigators said.

An AT&T cell tower on Sadler Road was also the target of thieves, with grounding rods and air conditioning units stolen.

AT&T also reported three hubs on King Wilkinson Road and two on N.C. 73 were broken into and batteries valued at thousands of dollars were stolen.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Man charged in theft from Lincoln County cell tower."