Antioch Copper Wire Thieves Reach New High – Or Low

Powerlines (Thomas Lohnes/DDP/ Getty Images)

Antioch, Bob Melrose, Copper, Copper Theft, Copper Wiring, Crime, Metal Theft, Pacific Gas and Electric, PG&E, Power Poles, Theft, Transformer, Utility

ANTIOCH (KCBS) – Just days after Pacific Gas and Electric lamented the ongoing and widespread theft of copper wire from its Antioch power poles, the utility is now revealing that a particularly brazen thief – or thieves – stole an entire transformer from a power pole.
This is in addition to the knocking down of an estimated 300 power poles, stripping them of their lucrative copper wiring.
There is copper wiring in the transformer, as well.
It’s a risky move, the utility warned, because it’s energized electrical wiring that’s being taken. In fact, people have been electrocuted or otherwise seriously injured attempting to lift the wiring.
KCBS’ Bob Melrose Reports:

Antioch Copper Wire Thieves Reach New High - Or Low

It will cost PG&E tens of thousands of dollars to replace the downed power poles and stolen transformer. The price tag to replace just one power pole and its missing transformer: $12,000.
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