LA JOLLA, CA — Over $50,000 in copper wire was stolen from UC San Diego construction sites in two separate incidents reported by UCPD this week. The latest thefts bring the total amount of stolen copper wire and equipment to $74,274, after a similar incident in February resulted in a loss of over $24,000.
The first incident of the week occurred on Scholars Drive North on April 13 between 5AM and 5:20AM, resulting in a loss of $3,209. The latest incident occurred just a day after at Voigt Drive/Hopkins Drive between 7PM and 7:35PM, resulting in an additional loss of $46,833, according to the newly released UCPD logs.
In total, thieves made off with $50,042, adding to the $24,274 stolen in February. Both incidents were classified as “grand theft” by UCPD. No arrests have been reported so far.
Copper wire thefts have become increasingly common in the past year, with some high profile thefts leaving key city infrastructure in the dark. According to the FBI, copper and other scrap metal is often stolen by individuals and organized groups hoping to make quick cash from reselling the metal.
Anyone with information about the thefts is encouraged to contact UCPD.
