According to the Garland Police Department (GPD), there has been a surge in copper theft in North Texas, with criminals targeting utility lines and putting lives at risk in the process.

Police say the thieves have been caught on camera climbing utility poles and cutting live wires, sometimes posing as legitimate workers wearing reflective vests and helmets. WFAA Report.

“This surge has happened over the last few months,” Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barrineau told the outlet. “Prior to that, it was almost nonexistent.”

Barrineau noted that the cables are typically about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, putting thieves at risk of death or serious injury from electrocution. “If you cut the wrong cable, you're likely to die,” he warned. (Related article: Copper wire theft costs Blue City hundreds of thousands of dollars: Report)

WFAA reports that copper thefts have also occurred in other parts of North Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, where Arlington police reported an increase in copper thefts in 2024 compared to the previous year.

According to Barrineau, these copper thefts appear to be isolated acts by individual thieves, rather than the work of a large, organized group.

The economic impact of these crimes is significant: Downed utility wires disrupt phone and internet service, costing providers thousands of dollars in repairs, WFAA reported. One suspected thief reportedly caused an estimated $10,000 in damages.

These crime risks aren't limited to Texas: A man was electrocuted to death in Richmond, California, and police suspect he was trying to steal copper from an underground safe. NBC Bay Area.

The explosion and power outage affected more than 1,500 customers.