LA’s crackdown on wire thefts amps up; arrests made, stolen copper recovered

Continuing its efforts to crack down on metal thefts, Los Angeles city and law enforcement officials on Tuesday, Aug. 27, announced the recent arrest of copper wire thieves and the recovery of 1,668 pounds of stolen copper wire in North Hollywood – one of L.A.’s hardest-hit communities when it comes to these type of thefts.

Also Tuesday, the L.A. City Council voted to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting anyone who doesn’t work in the telecommunications industry and has no reason for possessing telecommunications wire from having them, as a way to further crack down on wire thefts. In addition, the council voted to require that wire labeled as belonging to the city of L.A. be used in city street lighting systems moving forward to make it easier to identify when someone has stolen city property.

Tuesday’s actions were the latest in a series of efforts by city officials to address the widespread problem of wire thefts that is not only costly to taxpayers but can pose public safety concerns.

While the thieves make only a few bucks off the sale of stolen wire, it has cost hundreds of millions of dollars to replace the stolen items and repair damaged infrastructure – not to mention the very real danger when street lights, traffic signals, railroad crossings, fire hydrants, sprinkler systems and power transmissions stop working because they’ve been stripped of wire, officials say.

“Imagine the consequences when a train control is not functioning because someone has decided to steal wire out of that,” L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian, who serves on the Metro board, said during a Tuesday press conference at LAPD headquarters to announce the recent arrests and citations of copper wire thieves and recycling facility operators who purchase the stolen goods.

In recent months, a police task force funded by Krekorian’s office has focused on the theft and resale of stolen copper wire and other metals in and around North Hollywood, which Krekorian represents.

Officers arrested nine suspected thieves in three felony and six misdemeanor cases, according to LAPD Chief of Detectives Alan Hamilton. Police have also issued nine citations to recycling facility operators who purchased the stolen goods, he said.

In addition to copper wire, police recovered hundreds of pounds of stolen aluminum cable and backup batteries used in roadway safety systems, according to Krekorian’s office.

During Tuesday’s news conference, Krekorian said these recent crackdowns should be a warning to metal recycling operators and other “unscrupulous” people who are enabling the thieves by purchasing their stolen goods.

“We’re coming after you, and you better get used to the idea of having LAPD knocking on your door,” he said.

Krekorian said he planned to contact the District Attorney’s office to make clear that such crimes must be taken seriously and that, to the extent possible, they should be prosecuted as felony cases.

Hamilton echoed those sentiments, noting that one case resulted in a $150,000 loss to Caltrans, the state’s transportation department. Calling these crimes “a huge dollar loss to governmental agencies,” Hamilton said prosecutors should take “a hard look” at these cases.

In the last four years, thefts and vandalism of Caltrans’ electrical infrastructure have cost the agency over $24 million in repairs in L.A. and Ventura counties alone, according to Blanca Rodriguez, chief of external affairs for Caltrans’ District 7, which oversees infrastructure in these two counties.

L.A. city officials have grown increasingly frustrated with thieves stealing copper wire and other precious metals, which they sell for scrap.

The Sixth Street Viaduct has been a major target of copper wire thieves. The new bridge, illuminated at night when it opened, drew rave reviews and lots of visitors. But thieves’ ravaging of the bridge’s electronics has forced the gleaming new attraction to go largely dark in the evening.

In some instances, thieves have stolen copper plaques from statues that are considered historical landmarks and even from cemetery headstones – an act which Krekorian called “despicable.” In June, city officials also reported that bronze plaques installed on sidewalks and bearing the names of local teachers to honor them were stolen in the West Valley.

L.A. City Councilmember Kevin de León, who represents neighborhoods in downtown L.A. and on the Eastside that have also been hit hard by copper wire thefts, has in recent months co-introduced motions along with Councilmember Traci Park, who serves on the council’s Public Safety Committee, to combat copper wire thefts.

On Tuesday, the council voted to move ahead with two of their proposals.

One asks the city attorney to draft an ordinance – which must return to the council for a vote – to prohibit people from possessing telecommunications wire if they don’t work in the telecommunications industry and have no legitimate reason to be in possession of them.

The second requires the use of city-stamped telecommunications wire moving forward to help police identify when someone is in possession of stolen wire that belongs to the city.

“Today’s vote is a significant victory for our communities, particularly those of color, who have been disproportionately impacted by telecommunications wire theft for the purpose of extracting the copper,” de León said in a statement after the votes. “The theft of these cables is not just a financial crime—it disrupts the lives of residents, small business owners, schools, and students who rely on uninterrupted internet service to stay competitive and connected.”

“This is about equity, justice, and ensuring that every Angeleno has the tools they need to succeed,” de León said.