43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable worth $155,000 recovered in Montana Avenue theft case

43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable worth $155,000 recovered in Montana Avenue theft case by Alijah Cabrales Sun, November 8, 2026 at 3:26 PM Laron Watts (Credit: El Paso County Sheriffs Office) Comment on this story 4 Comment Share story Share topics: Fiber-optic cable Theft El Paso County Montana Avenue Shipping container Trailer chassis Laron Watts Sheriff's Office An El Paso County man was arrested after deputies recovered a shipping container, trailer chassis and approximately 43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable valued at $155,000. On Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, El Paso Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the 13100 block of Montana Avenue regarding a reported theft involving the shipment. Investigators identified the driver as 38-year-old Laron Lenard Watts. According to investigators, the driver had been contracted to transport the shipment from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. After the shipment was canceled, the driver reportedly refused to return the property due to a dispute over his final payment. Watts was arrested and charged with theft of property valued at $150,000 or more but less than $300,000. His bond was set at $10,000. The Sheriff's Office said detectives executed a search warrant and recovered the shipping container, trailer chassis and approximately 43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable. The semi-truck was also seized as part of the investigation. RECOMMENDED: Two juveniles referred to probation following business burglary in East El Paso Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox. Trending First Borderlands Renaissance Faire draws big crowd in El Paso Day one of the Borderlands Renaissance Faire came with a few bumps, including long lines and unexpected weather, but attendees and organizers are looking ahead. Two juveniles referred to probation following business burglary in East El Paso Two juveniles have been referred to the Juvenile Probation Department following a business burglary in East El Paso. Philadelphia bike protest targets six restaurants over owners' support for Israel A planned bicycle boycott targeting six Philadelphia restaurants has drawn condemnation from city and state leaders ahead of the Kristallnacht anniversary. Fundraiser to help hospitalized El Paso firefighter Juan Martin II El Paso firefighter Juan Martin II has been hospitalized 3 months after a bowel obstruction caused sepsis and multiple surgeries. A fundraiser Saturday at The Cactus Owl will feature a parade, food, music and raffles. Free turkey, Thanksgiving food giveaways set across El Paso this month El Paso groups offer free Thanksgiving giveaways (limited supplies): Firefox Homes gives 300 turkeys Nov. 13; Operation H.O.P.E. hosts a drive-thru food basket event Nov. 14; Flores Mendez Law gives 300 turkeys Nov. 21. NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 5 NEW Horizon City family loses home to flooding amid mothers life-saving kidney donation 3 East El Paso’s Trophie Gaming hit by second break-in in under a week 4 El Paso Zoo throws 10th birthday party for Taj the rhino 5 First Borderlands Renaissance Faire draws big crowd in El Paso