Los Angeles Police Department officers recovered an estimated $50,000 of stolen copper wire and apprehended one suspect tied to a group that has allegedly committed crimes against city infrastructure, it was announced on Friday.
City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and LAPD officials held a news conference at the Mission Community Police Station to discuss the case and urged residents to report any crimes they may witness. LAPD officials noted detectives are working to identify two additional suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
LAPD officials said officers responded to reports of grand theft Tuesday in the 15000 block of Germain Street, in Mission Hills.
Officers reported that on arrival they found four suspects who cut a large amount of copper wire from a utility pole. One suspect was apprehended and officers were able to detain another suspect. Police are searching for the two remaining suspects.
On Friday, Rodriguez thanked LAPD officers and for the community member who contacted law enforcement. She noted this was the second case in her Seventh Council District — nearly a year ago LAPD officials apprehended suspects involved in copper wire theft that impacted Shadow Hills.
“I want to thank, of course, all the residents in my district for their attentiveness and due diligence to help protect our city’s infrastructure,” Rodriguez said. “They, I believe, have been the greatest example of how they need to report and work collaboratively with LAPD to curtail the copper wire theft activity in our city.”
She highlighted a Copper Wire Theft Reward program that City Council members recently finalized this week. The measure is on Mayor Karen Bass’ desk for her approval or veto.
Daniel Aeschleman, chief safety officer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, joined city officials to provide residents with safety reminders around this subject.
“Anytime that you see a downed conductor or high voltage infrastructure that looks damaged, please report it immediately. Call 911, and keep yourself safe and distance from any downed conductors, and assume that they are always energized,” Aeschleman said.
Rodriguez explained the issue of copper wire theft has left many parts of the city in the dark, but it’s an issue that they are working on. As a result of the massive and widespread problem, and lack of staff, the city is addressing these issues as quickly as they can.
“This is why we’re actually working with the Bureau of Street Lighting to continue to expand the footprint of solar light installations because those are not compromised,” Rodriguez said.
City officials are ramping up efforts to power street lights using solar energy, which they argue is more cost efficient as well.
“We’re asking for the public’s patience because we have a lot of outages. Currently, I’ve been working with the Department of Water and Power because they have utility light installations, which are also a very useful alternative that is, frankly, more secure than the accessible street light infrastructure, which continues to be compromised,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez emphasized that partnership between the city, LAPD and residents will help them stay on top of this issue and protect as much of infrastructure as possible.