Copper wire theft epidemic sinks to shocking new low in staggering footage
Two parolees were caught on camera using a truck to steal copper wire from a freeway overpass south of Fresno, leading to their arrest by California Highway Patrol units. The incident was captured by a CHP air unit's night-vision equipment amid a broader surge in copper thefts across California. The thefts, which have cost Los Angeles over $20 million annually, often target streetlights and other public infrastructure, prompting political responses and concerns over public safety.
- ▪Two parolees were arrested for stealing copper wire from a freeway overpass south of Fresno.
- ▪The California Highway Patrol used aerial night-vision footage to capture the theft and coordinate the arrests.
- ▪Copper wire theft has been a persistent issue in California, particularly in Los Angeles, where it costs more than $20 million per year.
- ▪Stolen copper is often sold at scrap yards, and thieves have targeted infrastructure including streetlights and Little League fields.
- ▪In response to the crisis, LA officials have proposed a homeowner tax to fund streetlight repairs after rejecting a proposed low-cost solution.
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Metro Copper wire theft epidemic sinks to shocking new low in staggering footage By Ross O'Keefe Published April 30, 2026, 1:59 p.m. ET A pair of parolees were caught on camera using a truck to rip copper wire from a freeway overpass south of Fresno amid a rash of similar thefts targeting the valuable wiring. A California Highway Police plane captured the two male suspects in the act before deploying ground units to arrest the thieves, who faced multiple charges. A pair of parolees were caught on camera using a truck to rip copper wire from a freeway overpass. CHP – Central Division Air Operations The air unit’s night-vision camera showed officers arresting one of the men, who was shown backwards until officers took him into custody.
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