WASHINGTON - Copper thieves possibly posing as road crews are causing parts of the District to go dark.
The D.C. Department of Transportation says thieves have stolen copper wire installed in underground conduits at least four times in recent weeks. Officials say in some cases the thieves may be posing as road contractors at staged work zones in order to commit the crime. They may even be detouring traffic.
One wire theft caused an illuminated Interstate 295 sign to go dark on northbound Kenilworth Avenue between Polk Street and Eastern Avenue.
Thieves also have taken wire that powers sidewalk lights along Kenilworth Avenue in Northeast between Foote and Hayes streets, and copper additionally has been stolen at North Capitol and Irving streets and at South Capitol and Potomac streets.
In the 295 and Kenilworth Avenue incidents, officials say the wire was located between manholes in a grass median.
The thefts come as scrap metal dealers are paying nearly $3 per pound for copper wire. Acting DDOT Director Terry Bellamy says the incidents constitute a "community safety problem."
Officials are asking anyone who sees a theft to call 911. They also warn that those stealing copper wires are often close to electric transmission facilities during the crime and risk burns and electrocution injuries.
In an incident in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, a man was transported to a local hospital after suffering burns in what may been an attempted theft of copper wire.
DDOT says it is working to restore power at the theft locations, and the agency is exploring how to "enhance the security" of its electrical conduits.
According to DDOT, the stolen wire is worth approximately $38,000.
WTOP's Mark Segraves contributed to this report. Follow Mark and WTOP on Twitter.
The D.C. Department of Transportation says thieves have stolen copper wire installed in underground conduits at least four times in recent weeks. Officials say in some cases the thieves may be posing as road contractors at staged work zones in order to commit the crime. They may even be detouring traffic.
One wire theft caused an illuminated Interstate 295 sign to go dark on northbound Kenilworth Avenue between Polk Street and Eastern Avenue.
Thieves also have taken wire that powers sidewalk lights along Kenilworth Avenue in Northeast between Foote and Hayes streets, and copper additionally has been stolen at North Capitol and Irving streets and at South Capitol and Potomac streets.
In the 295 and Kenilworth Avenue incidents, officials say the wire was located between manholes in a grass median.
The thefts come as scrap metal dealers are paying nearly $3 per pound for copper wire. Acting DDOT Director Terry Bellamy says the incidents constitute a "community safety problem."
Officials are asking anyone who sees a theft to call 911. They also warn that those stealing copper wires are often close to electric transmission facilities during the crime and risk burns and electrocution injuries.
In an incident in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, a man was transported to a local hospital after suffering burns in what may been an attempted theft of copper wire.
DDOT says it is working to restore power at the theft locations, and the agency is exploring how to "enhance the security" of its electrical conduits.
According to DDOT, the stolen wire is worth approximately $38,000.
WTOP's Mark Segraves contributed to this report. Follow Mark and WTOP on Twitter.
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