Copper Thieves Caught Red Handed By LAX Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — Two people were caught red-handed stealing $16,000 worth of copper wire from a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power facility near LAX this week, according to police.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Airport Police officers spotted two pickup trucks stopped on the road with their hazard lights activated. Photos shared by police show ones of the trucks stopped on Sepulveda Boulevard, just south of the airport tunnel heading toward the 105 Freeway.

"Officers then saw two individuals actively stealing copper wire from a DWP facility," police wrote.

Police attempted to stop both vehicles; they were able to detain one of the pickup trucks.

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"A search of the vehicle revealed multiple lengths of utility-grade copper wire in the truck bed, along with burglary tools commonly used for cutting and removing wire," police wrote.

The driver was arrested on suspicion on grand theft of copper. His name was not released.

Police recovered $8,000 worth of copper wire from the man's truck. The other driver got away with another $8,000 worth of metal, according to police.