As Los Angeles grapples with an alarming rise in copper wire thefts, city and county leaders are urging state lawmakers to impose stiffer penalties on those who commit these crimes.
According to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, approximately one third of the 6,000 copper theft incidents reported in the second half of 2024 across the United States occurred in California.
Bonta detailed the methods employed by criminals, stating, “Bad actors steal encased copper cables and cut them into short lengths before burning them to remove the sheathing to reveal the raw copper inside.”
The stolen copper is often sold to scrap metal dealers, some of whom may unknowingly purchase the illicit material during periods of high demand.
Recent incidents, such as the theft of extensive copper wiring from the LED lighting system on Los Angeles’ Sixth Street Bridge, highlight the severe impact of these crimes.
In another case, vital metal components were stolen from a Caltrans property, resulting in a significant loss of $150,000 for the city.
LA officials and business leaders acknowledged the gravity of the situation during a roundtable discussion with Bonta. They expressed concern that many criminals perceive the potential consequences of their actions as minimal.
“What happened to those arrests? When you have a property theft under current law, really nothing happens to people,” LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said, voicing his frustration over the lack of accountability.
Additionally, officials pointed to the existence of illegal scrap metal yards that profit from reselling stolen materials without facing repercussions.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman elaborated on this issue, explaining that while his office has targeted and shut down some unscrupulous scrap metal dealers, numerous other businesses remain active throughout the county.
“Los Angeles is one of 87 cities, and there are 125 incorporated areas in LA County alone. We can only do this if we actually adopt it countywide,” Hochman stated.
The LAPD’s Heavy Metal Task Force, which has been instrumental in combating metal theft, agreed on the necessity of conveying a stronger message from the state government to deter repeat offenders.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton remarked, “If you’re going to engage in this activity repeatedly, your business is going to be at risk.”
In response to ongoing concerns, Bonta issued a law enforcement bulletin that outlines state statutes associated with copper wire theft, along with regulations for metal recyclers that mandate documentation of copper wire transactions.
Many of these offenses are categorized as “wobbler offenses,” which can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This allows judges and prosecutors to decide on the severity of the charges against copper thieves.
Telecommunication companies are also feeling the financial strain caused by copper theft. In light of this, AT&T announced it will offer a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in copper cable thefts or related activities across California.
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