Current:Home > MyA 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled. -BrightFutureFinance
A 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled.
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:49:20
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! (519)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Influencer Candice Miller Sued for Nearly $200,000 in Unpaid Rent After Husband Brandon’s Death
- Where These Bachelor Nation Couples Stand Before Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos' Journey
- Heather Gay Reveals RHOSLC Alum's Surprising Connection to Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Star
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- ‘Fake heiress’ Anna Sorokin debuts on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ — with a sparkly ankle monitor
- Despite confusion, mail voting has not yet started in Pennsylvania
- Julia Fox Sets the Record Straight on Pregnancy After Sharing Video With Baby Bump
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Phoenix could finally break its streak of 100-degree days
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Police shift focus in search for Kentucky highway shooting suspect: 'Boots on the ground'
- Michael Hill and April Brown given expanded MLB roles following the death of Billy Bean
- Who's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Most maternal deaths can be prevented. Here’s how California aims to cut them in half
- Jordan Chiles deserved Olympic bronze medal. And so much more
- Florence Pugh Confirms New Relationship 2 Years After Zach Braff Split
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Dancing With the Stars' Gleb Savchenko Shares Message to Artem Chigvintsev Amid Divorce
Trail camera captures 'truly amazing' two-legged bear in West Virginia: Watch
Trail camera captures 'truly amazing' two-legged bear in West Virginia: Watch
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Tito Jackson hospitalized for medical emergency prior to death
Many women deal with painful sex, bladder issues. There's a fix, but most have no idea.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Pleads Not Guilty in Sex Trafficking Case After Arrest