Copper thieves allegedly stole hundreds of feet of underground copper wire along Mt. Vernon Road on Jan. 16, causing internet outages along that corridor over the weekend and beyond.
AT&T trucks and crews were seen on Mt. Vernon Road near the Dunwoody Club Forest entrance doing repairs on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Residents report they have been without internet since the Friday night incident.
Residents on social media posted that the theft occurred along Mt. Vernon from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church to Meadowlake Drive with the perpetrators using pole saws to disconnect the thick wires and pull the copper out of them.
A line showing the service interruption on the AT&T website shows that the affected area runs along the Mt. Vernon Road from before Tilly Mill Road to North Peachtree Road.
The site indicates that the repairs should take 12 hours, but doesn’t say when the outage took place or the number of homes and businesses that have been affected.
Dunwoody Police Sgt. Michael Cheek acknowledged that the theft had occurred, but added that since it’s an active investigation, the department “doesn’t have any more information or details that can be shared.”
Copper’s value worldwide
Okon Recyling reports that copper, often called “red gold,” is one of the most valuable and sought-after metals in recycling and commodities markets worldwide.
“This nickname reflects more than just its distinctive color,” the website said. “Copper’s extraordinary value stems from its essential role as the backbone of modern civilization, powering everything from electrical grids to renewable energy systems.”
Thefts like this often come at a great price. In mid-2025, multiple media outlets reported that stolen copper wire was responsible for a huge gas explosion in downtown Atlanta that destroyed a vacant apartment complex near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information is known.