SAN JOSE — Patrol officers early Saturday morning stopped the in-progress theft of copper wire from an overhead telephone line close to San Felipe Street and Meadowlands Lane, whereas warning of a rising nationwide crime downside that may result in the disruption of important energy, water, telecommunications and web providers.
A San Jose police press launch mentioned that officers discovered an grownup male suspect hiding in bushes close to the doorway to the Meadowlands neighborhood in a southeastern part of town. The person had minimize down overhead copper-wire telephone strains, sliced them up into items and stashed them into plastic luggage alongside the roadside, the discharge mentioned. The person additionally was in possession of professional quality wire cutters and extra empty luggage, the discharge added.
Down the street, officers discovered a lady in a parked automobile. Police mentioned she appeared prepared to assist haul away the stolen copper. The person and lady had been each arrested on suspicion of grand theft, conspiracy and possession of housebreaking instruments.
In response to the New York Instances and the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, metallic theft has been an city plague for many years, nevertheless it’s been on the rise for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic resulting from a lot of elements, together with a hovering demand for metals. Thieves are identified to strip copper wire out of telephone strains or streetlights and promote it to scrap metallic recyclers for money.
Previous thefts have prompted web sites for California state companies to go offline and disabled the strategy lighting for a runway on the Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport, in line with the insurance coverage bureau. Thieves even have been electrocuted whereas making an attempt to steal copper from stay wires.
“Copper theft cuts deeper than cables,” the police press launch mentioned. “It endangers lives, cripples essential services, and carries serious criminal consequences.”
