The city of Los Angeles has recovered about 2,000 pounds of stolen copper wire and made dozens of arrests in connection with the thefts since launching a task force dedicated to combating the crime, officials announced Tuesday.
LA Councilmembers Traci Park and Kevin De Leon hosted a press conference to share the wins of the task force they created in January. The Heavy Metal Task Force is comprised of personnel from several police divisions under the oversight of the Central Division.
“Our message is very clear to the criminals that are stripping this city part by part — the city of Los Angeles is no longer your ATM machine,” De Leon said.
According to the council members, 82 arrests have been made in connection with copper wire theft, including 60 felony charges. With the success of the task force, and additional $200,000 will be invested into the program.
“The wire …