Selling cable through illegal channels

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - San Marcos police are looking for a man they believe is tapping into Grande Communications lines and selling apartment residents stolen cable.

Jesse Martinez did not understand why Grande Communications had a salesman and installer driving the neighborhood and advertising so aggressively.

"He was really pushy," said Martinez. "He just kept asking and asking."

Martinez lives on Smith Street near the River Street intersection in San Marcos. He did not realize the man did not really work for Grande until his internet connection started slowing down. Martinez went out to the back of his apartment complex and saw six wires connected to his cable box.

"I was kind of P.O.'ed about it because I'm paying 100 and something a month and somebody is stealing my cable for free,” said Martinez.

He tipped off the San Marcos Police Department and Grande Communications. They learned a man has been going door to door claiming to work for Grande Communications offering a great deal.

"Basically it appears somebody offered to hook it up for them for about $100 a pop and they went for it,” said Sgt. Byron Mobley, San Marcos Police.

Grande Communications Chief Operating Officer Scott Ferguson said people stealing cable is not uncommon but this man is tricking unsuspecting apartment renters to steal from their neighbors and knows what he is doing.

"There is a rouge installer that has the tools and the know how to illegally tap into an existing providers infrastructure,” said Ferguson.

Thursday night Martinez says the man came to his apartment complex trying to sell him cable, not knowing Martinez was already a victim.

"He was very persistent asking he said he works for Grande and I can get you these deals would not stop just kept persisting and persisting,” said Martinez.

Martinez calmly declined and snapped these photos of the Chevy Tahoe as well as the magnetic Grande Communications decal. KXAN passed the information on to San Marcos Police and Grande communications. Both agencies are investigating. Grande Communications does not think this "fake cable guy" works for them, but if he does, they say he will be fired and fully prosecuted.

Ferguson has seen this type of thing before and said it is most common among apartment residents who purposely connect to a legitimate customer to get free cable.

"It is not uncommon but usually only 2 percent or 4 percent of customers," said Ferguson.

What makes this case unusual is the perpetrator drives around with a Grande Communications magnetic decal on his vehicle and knows what he is doing.

"These connections were made at a professional level," said Ferguson.

Ferguson also said the company has no reason to believe the man is an employee. However, Ferguson added if the San Marcos police investigation leads to a Grande employee, he will be terminated and prosecuted.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim is asked to call San Marcos police.

Grande Communications said they will offer deals to anyone who wants to become a legitimate customer after this mess.