Man tried to steal items from cell phone tower say police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP (AP) — A South Jersey man faces several charges after he allegedly tried to steal batteries and wire from a cell phone tower.

Gloucester Township police say an officer on patrol Saturday morning saw a suspicious vehicle backed against a tower. They say he soon saw 45-year-old Louis Lucas, of Clarksboro, inside the site's fenced-in area, taking apart an electrical box and removing equipment.

Lucas allegedly claimed he was a subcontractor for a company that performs maintenance on cell towers. But authorities determined Lucas hasn't worked with the firm for some time.

Authorities say they also found large cellular batteries and copper wire inside his vehicle.

Lucas was charged with burglary, criminal attempted theft, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. It wasn't known Sunday if he's retained an attorney.

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