Buckeye man arrested in Tartesso after statewide cell tower theft investigation

A Buckeye man is behind bars in connection with a string of burglaries targeting cell tower sites across Arizona, according to a press release from the Buckeye Police Department.

The suspect, 38-year-old Jeremiah Ramage, is accused of stealing high-value telecommunications equipment from more than 35 cell tower locations throughout the Phoenix metro area and reselling some of the items online.

The investigation began June 10 when Buckeye officers responded to a break-in at a T-Mobile tower in the Tartesso neighborhood near Sun Valley Parkway. Among the items reported stolen was an industrial-grade router, police said.

Working alongside T-Mobile representatives, Buckeye detectives linked the case to a wider pattern of similar thefts across the region. Some of the stolen equipment was later found for sale on eBay, leading investigators to identify Ramage as a suspect. Authorities say he had previously worked as a contractor.

Ramage was arrested July 17 during a traffic stop near Sun Valley Parkway and Thomas Road. Police said he was driving a pickup truck that contained stolen telecommunications gear tied to burglaries in southern Arizona, as well as a stolen firearm.

A subsequent search of Ramage’s home uncovered hundreds of additional items allegedly belonging to multiple cellular service providers, according to the release.

Ramage was booked into jail on multiple charges, including burglary, theft, and trafficking in stolen property.

Ramage is also the defendant in the following court cases, per Maricopa County Superior Court records:

• CR2024‑157425 – a current 2024 criminal case pending for alleged theft, unauthorized weapon possession and dangerous drug possession. He had trial dates scheduled for today and in September.

• CR2023‑155235 – another pending 2023 Superior Court matter tied to an alleged burglary.

No further details are available via the online docket; hearings and filings in these cases are ongoing.