A Verizon Wireless property manager responding to a Jan. 2 alarm call discovered extensive damage inside an Old Hamilton Mill Road cell tower building.

The property manager contacted police after noticing the cell tower door was open.

A Gwinnett County police officer discovered a three-foot opening had been cut into the chain link fencing surrounding the cell tower. The door to the building had also been pried open.

The intruder or intruders cut multiple pieces of cable inside the building. According to the police report, pieces of cable were scattered across the floor and several pieces were placed inside a plastic trash can.

The officer discovered a pair of heavy-duty bolt cutters on the floor near the rear of the building and also found a pair of vice grips lodged in the door alarm sensor. A black ski style hat was found near the doorway.

Several pieces of equipment were damaged during the burglary. A power panel on the outside of an adjacent building was dismantled and the wiring on the back of a microwave digital radio was also cut.

The responding officer checked the surrounding area and located multiple fresh shoe prints near a section of cut chain link fencing separating the cell tower property from I-85.

Crime scene technicians were called to process the scene.

The Verizon property manager said the cell tower was burglarized about a month ago. He estimated the repairs to Verizon property would cost $20,000. Property owned by American Tower was also damaged.

The case has been forwarded to investigators and is listed as an active investigation.