Deputies from Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap’s office have arrested Cristian Salas, 26, of Katy and felony charges have been filed against him in the theft of more than $550,000 worth of stolen internet notes – connection points used to transfer data for internet service providers.

“More than $550,000 worth of stolen equipment was recovered on Friday, July 9.  Approximately 1300 customers have been affected by a loss of internet service due to these thefts,” an announcement from Heap’s office said.

The equipment was stolen from western and northwestern Harris County neighborhoods. The subsequent investigation lasted approximately two months and Salas was arrested without incident after a search warrant executed at a local storage facility led to the discovery of the equipment.