Crime & Safety

Vandalism Causes More Than $20,000 Damage To FiOS Lines

Clarkstown Police charged Jesse James, 42, of Bardonia with allegedly cutting Verizon FiOS (fiber optic) lines in Bardonia, which caused customers to lose phone, Internet and television service. James was arrested Tuesday in connection with two incidents late Monday night and early Tuesday morning that resulted in property damages estimated to exceed $10,000 at each location.

James was charged with two felony counts each of first-degree criminal tampering and second-degree criminal mischief.

Sgt. Jo Anne Fratianni said both incidents took place in Bardonia. The first occurred on Monday, Jan. 13th at approximately 9 p.m. on Pineview Avenue and the second on Tuesday, Jan. 14th at about 2:30 a.m. on Joseph Lane.

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Verizon spokesman Phil Santoro said he did not know how many customers lost their service but said the cut FiOS cables affected several neighborhoods. He said service was restored to subscribers between 10 p.m. on Tuesday and 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

James was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court and sent to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $70,000 cash bail.  He is due back in court on January 17. 

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Fratianni said the department is still actively investigating the incidents.

 


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