Second suspect in fiber optic cable theft that left St. Gabriel residents without internet arrested in Iowa

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a major fiber optic cable theft that disrupted cable and internet service for residents in Sunshine and St. Gabriel in August and September 2024. The theft caused an estimated $51,000 in damages to AT&T’s infrastructure.

During the investigation, detectives identified Gregory Doster as a suspect. Police said that after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Doster fled the state.

SGPD said the Jones County Sheriff’s Office in Anamosa, Iowa, notified them that Doster was in custody. Officers then traveled nearly 1,000 miles on a 14-hour journey to return Doster to Iberville Parish.

Doster faces charges of felony theft over $25,000 and felony criminal damage to property.

Police also arrested Keith Pfister from St. Rose on Sept. 6. He was charged with felony theft and felony criminal damage to property.

According to the police, they allegedly sold almost $30,000 worth of stolen copper wire to a recycling facility in New Orleans. AT&T estimates that the theft caused more than $50,000 in damage, as nearly 2,000 feet of cable was stolen.

Both men were booked into the Iberville Parish Jail.

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