Copper Thief On The Loose

Police hope you can help them catch a crook that's not only stealing taxpayer money in broad daylight but also making it dangerous for people to drive on the Broken Arrow Expressway. News On 6 crime

Saturday, June 23rd 2007, 8:02 pm

By: News On 6

Police hope you can help them catch a crook that's not only stealing taxpayer money in broad daylight but also making it dangerous for people to drive on the Broken Arrow Expressway. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports someone is stealing copper from the light poles along the Broken Arrow Expressway, which makes the streets dark and dangerous to drive.

One incident was on June 5, at the 15th Street onramp to the BA, eastbound.

"If we take this incident by itself, the loss, replacement, labor and repairs, the loss is $100,000 and that's excluding the price of the copper,â€ said Tulsa Police Officer Scott Walton.

Thieves hit again just six days later at the same location. This time, they hit the westbound side.

City workers have been replacing the copper lines with aluminum, which has very little resale value, compared to copper.

Police do have a description of the suspect.

â€œA Hispanic male, short and stocky, wearing a reflective hat and vest, looking like an electrical worker, and this was happening in daylight hours,â€ Walton said.

The man was seen driving a grey, Dodge Intrepid. He may have some ODOT signs with him.

Anyone with information about these thefts should call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.

You don't have to give your name, and if your tip leads to an arrest, the Citizens Crime Commission will pay you a cash reward.

Watch the video: Police Search For Thief Stealing Copper From Light Poles