82 arrested, 2,000 pounds of wires seized [Video]

LOS ANGELES – In January, LA City leaders created the Heavy Metal Task Force to combat the copper wire theft epidemic that has left neighborhoods, including the 6th Street Bridge, in the dark.

Now, six months later, city officials shared its great success.

During a press conference Tuesday, Councilman Kevin de León said 82 arrests were made and nearly 2,000 pounds of copper wires were seized. Of the 82 arrests, 60 of them will face felony charges.

Council members de León and Traci Park want to see the city imprint a logo on its wiring, which will easily help identify its origins.

“The theft of these materials poses an immediate threat to public safety, and it also has a profound impact on the communication infrastructure,” said LAPD Dept. Chief Michael Oreb.

Of the 2,000 pounds of wires seized, 800 pounds of it were telecom cables stolen from AT&T.

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