Copper Wire Thefts Continue to Plague Pasadena

The Pasadena Police Department is investigating a rash of copper wire thefts from City light poles that has resulted in thousands of dollars in losses over recent months.

The copper wiring thefts have continued even as historic bronze light poles along South Orange Grove Avenue have also fallen victim to thieves over the past two weeks.

According to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Edgar Sanchez, officers responded to three separate reports of wire thefts on Tuesday morning.

The first incident occurred at 8:44 a.m. on April 9 in the 400 block of Alpine Street, where Public Works staff reported that copper wire had been stolen from two light poles, with losses totaling approximately $1,000.

At 9:55 a.m., officers were called to South El Molino Avenue and Alpine Street, where employees discovered three more light poles that had their concrete coverings removed. An inspection revealed that copper wire was missing from the electrical boxes, with losses again estimated at $1,000.

The third theft was reported at 10:11 a.m. near South Oakland Avenue and Allendale Road. A City employee found a light pole with its concrete covering removed and copper wiring and a fuse cut and taken from the electrical box. Losses in that case were estimated at $500 and likely occurred between midnight and 8:30 a.m. from April 5 to April 9.

“No witnesses or video surveillance was located” for any of the three thefts, Lieutenant Sanchez said. The police are classifying the first two incidents as grand theft and the third as petty theft.

Investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the crimes.

The Pasadena Police Department said in a statement, “Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).”