Attorney General Bonta: 3,000 Feet of Stolen Telecommunications Wire Recovered in Los Angeles Copper Wire Theft Sting
LOS ANGELES — As part of a statewide effort to address the surge in copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department, today announced the results of a copper wire theft operation in downtown Los Angeles. During the operation, two were arrested and approximately four tons of copper wire were seized, equivalent to approximately 3,000 feet of stolen telecommunications wire. The estimated value of the seized material is approximately $102,000. California has seen an increase in copper wire theft throughout the state, which have left neighborhoods in the dark, resulted in telecommunication and utility outages, impacted business and agricultural operations, and threatened public safety.
“Copper theft has a steep price, and we are ensuring that the criminals behind it are the ones who pay it, not our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. "We will not tolerate bad actors who steal resources that plunge California neighborhoods into darkness or cut off vital emergency services. We are working with law enforcement, business leaders, and elected officials to stop this epidemic. My office is committed to preventing copper theft, securing our infrastructure, and protecting Californians.”
“Copper wire theft is not simply a property crime. It is a serious public safety concern that can disrupt essential services, damage critical infrastructure, and place our communities at risk,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “This operation demonstrates our Department’s commitment to proactively identifying, investigating, and holding accountable those responsible for these crimes. Through strategic enforcement efforts and collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners, we are sending a clear message that these criminal activities will not be tolerated. I commend the dedicated personnel whose hard work and investigative efforts made this operation possible. We will continue working to protect our communities, safeguard critical infrastructure, and prevent further victimization.”
Copper theft and vandalism causes:
- Disruptions to the 911 emergency system and to law enforcement operations;
- Power outages;
- Backups and safety hazards on public transit, freeways, bridges, and airports;
- Service interruptions to streetlights and traffic lights;
- Contamination of water and sewer systems; and
- Disruptions to healthcare systems and schools.
If you notice any suspicious activity, please inform your local law enforcement immediately. It is crucial to report these thefts right away to prevent widespread communication disruptions and potentially save millions of dollars in damages.
Here are photos of the stolen copper wire:
Source: Office of the Attorney General of California
