Copper Theft Sparks Investigation Near LAX

Men Arrested For Copper Theft Near Los Angeles International Airport

Published: November 5, 2023

Two Individuals With Prior Criminal Records Where Arrested On Sunday Following An Incident Involving The Theft Of Copper Wire From Streetlights Near Los Angeles International airport, according To Law enforcement Officials.

A vigilant Citizen Alerted Los Angeles Airport Police After Observing Two Men Actively Stripping And Cutting Copper Wiring from City-Maintained Streetlights. Officers Responded To The Vista Del Mar Area, Where They Located The Suspects In The Act.

Los Angeles Airport Police Reported That The Lighting Systems Sustained Significant Damage consequently Of The Theft. Both Suspects Were Afterward Taken Into Custody,Though Their Identities Have Not Yet Been Publicly released.

Further inquiry Revealed That Both Men Have Previous Convictions, Including Charges Related To Property Damage, Theft, And Offenses Involving Contact with A minor. These Findings Add A Layer Of Complexity To The Ongoing Investigation.

The Specific Charges The Men Will Face In Connection With Sunday’s Incident Remain Undetermined At This Time. authorities Are Continuing To Investigate The Full Extent Of The Damage and Potential Motives Behind The theft.

Copper Theft Is A Recurring Problem Across The United States, frequently enough Driven By The Metal’s Value For Scrap. This Type Of Crime Can Result In Significant Financial Losses For Cities And Infrastructure Providers, and also Potential Safety Hazards due To Damaged Lighting And Electrical Systems. Law Enforcement Agencies Are Increasingly Focused On Combating Copper Theft Thru Enhanced Surveillance And Stricter Regulations On Scrap Metal Sales.

What steps are individuals and businesses near LAX encouraged to take regarding potential copper theft?

Recent Incidents & Police Response

A surge in copper theft is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles Airport Police (LAXPD) and local law enforcement agencies. The thefts, concentrated in areas surrounding Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), are impacting critical infrastructure and raising security concerns. Reports began surfacing in late July 2025, with a noticeable increase in incidents throughout August.

the primary targets include:

Electrical wiring: From streetlights and traffic signals to airport ground equipment.

HVAC systems: Copper coils within air conditioning units are especially vulnerable.

Plumbing infrastructure: Copper piping is being stripped from both commercial and residential properties.

Telecommunications cabling: Disrupting phone and internet services.

LAXPD has increased patrols in affected areas and is working with scrap metal dealers to monitor for suspicious activity. They are urging residents and businesses to report any unusual behavior.

The Rising Cost of Copper & Theft Motives

The escalating price of scrap copper is a major driver behind this criminal activity. As of August 5,2025,copper is trading at approximately $4.80 per pound,creating a lucrative incentive for thieves. This price point makes even relatively small amounts of stolen copper valuable.

several factors contribute to the increased demand and, consequently, the higher price:

Global economic growth: Increased industrial activity, particularly in developing nations, drives up copper demand.

Renewable energy infrastructure: Copper is a key component in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Supply chain disruptions: Ongoing global supply chain issues have limited the availability of new copper.

Thieves frequently enough target locations near major transportation routes for rapid and easy access to markets where they can sell the stolen metal. Metal theft isn’t limited to copper; aluminum and catalytic converters are also frequently targeted.

Impact on Airport Operations & Local Communities

The copper wire theft near LAX is causing significant disruptions. While airport operations haven’t been directly halted, the damage to ground equipment and infrastructure has led to delays and increased maintenance costs.

Specific impacts include:

1. Traffic signal outages: Creating hazardous conditions for drivers and potentially impacting airport access routes.
2. Power outages: Affecting businesses and residences in surrounding communities.
3. Disrupted communication networks: Hindering emergency services and impacting local businesses.
4. Increased security risks: Compromised infrastructure can create vulnerabilities for more serious criminal activity.

Local businesses are also feeling the effects, facing repair bills and potential loss of revenue due to disruptions. The cost of replacing stolen copper can be ample, placing a financial burden on both public and private entities.

prevention Strategies: Protecting Your Property

Several steps can be taken to mitigate the risk of copper theft and protect your property:

Enhanced security measures: install motion-activated lighting, security cameras, and alarm systems.

Physical barriers: Secure access points to HVAC units, electrical rooms, and plumbing infrastructure with cages or reinforced doors.

Marking copper: Etch or stamp copper components with a unique identifier to deter theft and aid in recovery.

Reporting suspicious activity: Immediately report any suspicious behavior to local law enforcement.

Consider alternatives to copper: Where feasible, explore using alternative materials like aluminum or fiber optic cables.

Scrap Metal Regulations & Enforcement

California has implemented regulations aimed at curbing scrap metal theft. These regulations require scrap metal dealers to:

Verify the identity of sellers.

Maintain records of all transactions.

report suspicious transactions to law enforcement.

accept only cash payments under a certain threshold.

Increased enforcement of these regulations is crucial to disrupting the market for stolen copper. Law enforcement agencies are working with scrap metal dealers to identify and prosecute individuals involved in copper theft operations.The LAXPD is actively investigating leads and pursuing arrests in connection with the recent surge in incidents.

Case Study: Similar Incidents Nationwide

This isn’t an isolated incident. Similar waves of copper theft have been reported across the United States in recent years. For example, in 2023, a series of thefts targeting railway infrastructure in several states caused significant disruptions to freight and passenger rail service.These incidents highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to metal theft and prompted