Copper thieves bring down 500-foot Oklahoma radio tower

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. Arrests Made in Vandalism of Okla. Radio Tower

Arrests Made in Vandalism of Okla. Radio Tower

KITX’s tower collapsed after copper thieves severed guy cables

BY RANDY J. STINE
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 22, 2024 • UPDATED: JANUARY 23, 2024



A photo released by the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department.

Two people suspected of causing catastrophic damage to the tower of Payne Media Group’s KITX(FM) in Hugo, Okla., have been arrested.

The Choctaw County sheriff’s office said they’d nabbed suspects who sold sections of 3-inch copper coax to a metal scrapyard in nearby Paris, Texas.



Matthew Wilson in a photo on the Facebook page of the Choctaw County Jail.

Sheriff Terry Park in a Facebook post identified the suspects as Candice Logan and Matthew Wilson, both of Choctaw County. Thieves had knocked down the tower and cut out and taken 3-inch copper coax line.

According to the social media post with Wilson’s mug shot, he is expected to be charged with entering a building with intent to commit a crime, malicious injury to property and receiving stolen construction equipment. No charges were listed for Logan. A copy of the police report was not made available.

{snip}

Will Payne, president of Payne Media Group, told Radio World the suspects sold the copper scrap to Paris Iron and Metals the next day. The destroyed tower was in a rural portion of Choctaw County, just north of the Red River. Paris is approximately 30 miles south of Hugo.

{snip}



Candice Logan in a photo on the Facebook page of the Choctaw County Jail.

{snip}

[See photos of the downed tower.]

RANDY J. STINE

Randy J. Stine has spent the past 40 years working in audio production and broadcast radio news. He joined Radio World in 1997 and covers new technology and regulatory issues. He has a B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University.