Port Charlotte Florida

Port Charlotte Florida

Authorities say about 300 residents in southwest Florida are without phone service after thieves pulled copper from telephone utility boxes.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says customers within a square mile area of the theft from utility boxes in a Port Charlotte lot were affected. Repairs were continuing Saturday.

Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Carpenter says it's the fifth copper theft from phone equipment boxes in the last several days.

Anyone with information about these copper thefts is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 941-639-2101 or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

Port Charlotte Florida