Copper wire thefts from VTA sites have caused $500,000 in damage this year

SANTA CLARA COUNTY – Two dozen cases of copper wire theft have been reported at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority sites since the beginning of the year, resulting in more than half a million dollars in damage, according to authorities.

The latest case happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday at the Cropley light-rail station in San Jose, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brooks Jarosz said in a news release.

Two suspects, ages 60 and 55, were arrested 45 minutes later near the Reamwood light-rail station in Sunnyvale. Jarosz said deputies found about 20 feet of copper wire worth $10,000 in their pickup truck. Both were booked into the Main Jail in San Jose on charges of possession of stolen property, conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine.

It was not immediately known if either of the suspects was responsible for other copper wire thefts.

In many of the cases, thieves have cut lines near rail platforms, surveyed the area for any law enforcement response and returned later to collect the wire, Jarosz said.

Jarosz said the VTA, along with Caltrain, has seen an increase in copper wire theft-related incidents, including 120 feet from the Cropley light-rail station on Feb. 26 and 66 feet from the Hostetter light-rail station on Feb. 27. Combined, the losses totaled $264,000.

In addition to interrupting VTA operations, the thefts “pose a serious safety hazard,” Jarosz said. Line cuts near signal tracks have disabled warning lights and gates.

Jarosz said the sheriff’s office is urging people to report any suspicious activity at VTA sites.