Copper wire theft threatening infrastructure in East Bay

RICHMOND, Calif. - Copper cable thefts are increasing, according to Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who held a rally on Tuesday bringing law enforcement and AT&T leaders together to discuss the impact of these thefts on the regional communications infrastructure. 

Gioia, along with the police chiefs from Richmond and El Cerrito, and business leaders met to discuss the problem and raise awareness about the impact on the economy, business, and security. 

The meeting came after a man's body was discovered in a PG&E vault on Aug. 20. Investigators say it appears he was electrocuted during an attempted theft of copper cable. 

Area businesses say phone and internet outages are frequent due to wire thefts. 

Pinole also had an incident in June, when 911 calls in that city, as well as Hercules and San Pablo, were disrupted due to copper wire thefts. Two people were arrested in connection to that incident. 

The situation has become so dangerous and costly, that AT&T is offering $5,000 cash rewards for tips leading to arrests.

"In the past year, we have had 220 reports of wire theft, which is 200 more than the previous year," said Chief Bisa French of the Richmond Police Department.

French said in the Aug. 20 incident there are three suspects in that case.

"The deceased and two others that fled," he said.

The telecommunications company has also filed a lawsuit against Alco Iron & Metal Company, a recycling company that operates in the Bay Area in Vallejo, San Jose, and San Leandro.

"We know based on a sting operation with law enforcement and our partnership with them, that this is where the copper is being purchased," said AT&T Vice President of External Affairs Tedi Vriheas.

Alco Iron & Metal has not yet responded to KTVU's request for comment.