Four individuals were cuffed on the grounds of suspected theft and vandalism at a West Boylston cell tower on Lawrence Street last Friday. The West Boylston Police Department got wind of the trouble at about 3:15 p.m. when they were alerted to an intrusion. Responding to the alarm, officers found two vehicles sporting New York plates and a quartet decked out in what looked like typical utility worker attire. One of the crew was halfway up the tower claiming they were there to take down outdated 3G equipment, as reported by the West Boylston Police Department on Facebook.
The scene turned fishy when the group could not produce any work orders to back up their story. According to the officers on scene, entry to the cell tower office seemed forced, with cables cut up inside the building and on the tower's body. Verizon, which the alleged perps claimed to represent, flatly denied any knowledge of the job, adding that this kind of heist has been plaguing cell sites across the New England area.
Facing charges are Tajpaul Moses, Yuvraj Moses, Huckomchan Ramjiawan, and Kevon Alvin Roberts—all New York natives whose ages range from 24 to 32. The charges include significant felonies: breaking and entering, larceny over $1,200, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and trespassing. The gang was held without bail over the weekend at the Worcester County House of Correction and is slated for a Monday appearance in Clinton District Court.
Sweeping through New England, similar cell tower crimes bearing the same vehicle descriptions have been flagged by police departments, a thread suggesting a wider pattern of criminal activity. In an effort to weave together these strands, local law enforcement from Holden, Sterling, and Boylston assisted in the response. Under the direction of Det. Mitchell Rogers, the investigation plows ahead, with the hope of unearthing connections to the broader rash of incidents.
