Authorities are trying to determine who stole thousands of dollars worth of AT&T batteries in a number of thefts throughout the county.

An employee reported the theft of 16 “deep cycle” batteries, taken from a cable box at 3601 Old Concord Road. The batteries in this incident are worth $5,200, the employee said. The last time the box was known to be secured was Monday around 11:30 p.m. and he noticed the theft Tuesday around 3 p.m.

He told Rowan authorities it appeared someone used some type of tool to pry open the battery cabinet and take the batteries.

On Tuesday, the same employee checked another box at 4501 Old Concord Road and discovered 24 batteries were taken, valued at an estimated $7,800.

The last time the location was secured, he said, was Monday around 11:30 p.m and the next day around 3 p.m. he discovered the theft.

The AT&T technician said on Tuesday morning he discovered 16 batteries valued at $5,200 were taken form 6065 Bringle Ferry Road.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8668 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Two other similar thefts occurred in Mount Ulla, said Sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford.