Current:Home > ScamsA 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled. -Infinite Edge Learning
A 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled.
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:41:22
A 200-foot radio tower in Alabama was stolen and has gone missing without a trace, taking down an AM station with it. The crime left the station's radio manager and police blown away and confused, according to media outlets.
“I have tried all weekend to figure it out, and I just can’t," Brett Elmore, the station's general manager of WJLX’s AM Station in Jasper, Alabama, said in a statement. "I have been in the radio business, around it all my life and then in it professionally for 26 years, and I can say I have never heard of anything like this. I can say I’ve seen it all now.”
According to the statement, Elmore learned about the theft of WJLX's tower on last Friday. A landscaping company went down to the tower on Feb. 2, which was located in a wooded area behind a local poultry plant, reports the Guardian, to clean up the property. But when they got there, they realized someone else had done it and taken way more than they needed to.
According to the Guardian, Elmore believes the thieves stole the tower to make money off selling the metal.
The GM told the Guardian that around six months ago, a different station that was close by had an AC unit, copper pipes, and other materials stolen from them. Elmore is not sure if the two are connected.
When speaking with the media outlet, Elmore added that Jasper has always supported its local stations.
"The sad part is that Jasper has always been a radio town," he told the Guardian.
More radio news:Radio crew's 'bathwater' stunt leads to Jacob Elordi being accused of assault in Australia
Radio tower stolen: How much will it cost to replace?
The station has started a GoFundMe to help recuperate the cost of the tower.
Since the property wasn't insured, Elmore believes it would cost $60,000 to replace the tower, according to a statement on the station's GoFundMe.
It's "more money than we have," he told the Guardian.
So far, they have raised $766 out of the $60,000 required.
"This is a major setback for a small operation like ours," said Elmore in a statement. "But I have faith that we will uncover the culprits. This is a federal crime, and they will realize it wasn’t worth it.”
Radio silent: Station forced off-air due to reported theft
On the station's website, it reports that it was trying to work with the FCC for temporary authority to continue business as usual on FM radio while they rebuild their tower and get back onto the AM side of the radio
But Thursday morning, the FCC told them they would not be allowed to broadcast. While the station does have an FM transmitter and tower, the FCC said they would have to go off the air since it isn't allowed to operate on the FM side of things while their AM station is off-air, reports the Guardian.
“Now we’re silent, but we won’t be silent for long," Elmore said to the Guardian. "I’m gonna work tirelessly to get this thing back up and running, one way or the other.”
It's unclear how long the rebuild process will actually take, Alabama news outlet WSFA reports. According to a statement given to WSFA by the radio station, they did shut down their FM tower, but the station will continue to its broadcast online.
Investigation into stolen radio tower underway
The Guardian says Elmore is still hopeful that more will be revealed, either on surveillance video from the poultry factory or a witness who worked at the plant and saw what happened.
In the station's statement, they confirmed that the Jasper Police Department is investigating the tower theft.
They're urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact either JPD at 205-221-2122 or Crime Stoppers at 205-221-505.
veryGood! (45658)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Who was the DJ at DNC? Meet DJ Cassidy, the 'music maestro' who led the roll call
- Montana county recounts primary election ballots after some double-counted, same candidates advance
- Ashanti Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Nelly
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Nordstrom Rack Top 100 Deals: Score $148 Jeans for $40 & Save Up to 73% on Cotopaxi, Steve Madden & More
- Montana becomes 8th state with ballot measure seeking to protect abortion rights
- Dance Moms’ Kelly Hyland Shares She Reached Milestone Amid Cancer Treatments
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- From NASA and the White House, to JLo and Kim Kardashian, everyone is getting very demure
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers leads Joe Burrow in 2024 odds
- Trump is set to hold his first outdoor rally since last month’s assassination attempt
- Bachelor Nation's Rachel Recchia Details Health Battle While Addressing Plastic Surgery Rumors
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Bit Treasury Exchange: The Blockchain Pipe Dream
- Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Oakland, California, public schools
- Here's What Jennifer Lopez Is Seeking in Ben Affleck Breakup
Recommendation
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Savannah Chrisley Shares Email Mom Julie Chrisley Sent From Prison
James Taylor addresses scrapped performance at DNC 2024: 'Sorry to disappoint'
30 quotes about kindness to uplift and spread positivity
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Ashanti and Nelly announce birth of their first baby together
Lands' End Summer Sale: Up to 85% Off + Extra 60% Off Swim — Shop $15 Swimsuits, $10 Tops & More From $8
Elite prosecutor misused position by offering Justice Department card in DUI stop, watchdog finds