California authorities arrested two people and seized approximately four tons of copper wire worth an estimated $102,000 in a law enforcement operation in downtown Los Angeles, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced. The seized material represents approximately 3,000 feet of stolen telecommunications wire.
The operation was conducted by the California Attorney General's office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department as part of a statewide effort to address rising copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism.
Copper wire theft has caused disruptions to emergency 911 systems and law enforcement operations, power outages, service interruptions to streetlights and traffic signals, contamination of water and sewer systems, and disruptions to healthcare systems and schools. The thefts have also created safety hazards on public transit, freeways, bridges and airports.
"Copper theft has a steep price, and we are ensuring that the criminals behind it are the ones who pay it, not our communities," Bonta said in a statement.