On Tuesday, a 34-year-old man was arrested in Estrela de Alagoas for his involvement in a theft ring that targeted internet and telecommunications equipment, leading to financial losses exceeding R$ 200,000 across 21 municipalities in Alagoas and eight cities in Pernambuco. The thefts, occurring between late November and early February, specifically targeted rectifier power supplies and batteries installed on communication towers, causing significant service disruptions.

Each theft impacted approximately 8,000 users, depriving them of internet access for several days, which not only resulted in financial strain on the affected telecommunications company but also considerable inconvenience for local customers. The company had to replace stolen equipment and experienced a surge in customer service calls, as users struggled with the service outages.

Investigations revealed that at least two men were involved in this criminal operation. The systematic thefts not only highlight issues of security in the telecommunications infrastructure in Brazil but also raise concerns over public access to essential services, exacerbated by the vulnerability of these facilities to such criminal activities.