Copper crooks gut internet, kill street lights in LA heist
Copper theft continues to plague Los Angeles neighborhoods, leaving residents in the dark—both literally and figuratively.
In Van Nuys, thieves targeted underground cables, stealing copper wire that powers internet connections and streetlights. Security footage captured the suspects: one wearing a hoodie, the other shirtless with a mask, extracting the metal from access hatches. Neighbors report the incident took place around 3 a.m. near Hazeltine Avenue and Sherman Way.
“I woke up to a loud clanging,” said Candace Cervantes, who recorded the theft. “At first, I thought, ‘Not again—people stealing copper.’ I see it happen too often on these streets.”
One thief kept watch while the other removed wire from underground. Cervantes described the audacity: “He even tied a long black cable to his car. They were trying to grab as much as possible.”
Police response was slow, she added, and the thieves didn’t appear concerned about being caught. The operation lasted more than an hour, ending around 4 a.m.
Thefts of copper have surged in Los Angeles as metal prices climb. Much of the stolen wire ends up at scrap yards, with some criminals targeting public spaces—including Little League fields. These crimes leave parts of the city without power and service, affecting residents who have endured repeated thefts. AT&T crews, including teams flown in from Northern California, are working to restore service.
“They’ve been without service for four or five months—it’s tough,” one AT&T worker told FOX 11.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said plans to install solar-powered streetlights could make it harder for thieves to disrupt neighborhoods.
For residents like Cervantes, frustration runs high. “It’s irritating, it’s exhausting,” she said. “These thieves just don’t make life any easier.”
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