NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Thieves who are trying to steal copper wire from utility poles are also knocking out the electricity and cable/internet service in the areas they target. Two recent cases are the focus of the latest Wheel of Justice report.
In one instance last month, neighbors in eastern New Orleans say they lost their internet and cable after someone tried to steal copper wire from some utility poles in the 14,000 block of Chef Menteur Highway. One neighbor says he was told by Cox Communications that the thieves didn’t get any copper but caused $70k in damage to the fiberoptic cable in the area, knocking out service for a day.
Another case happened on Monday, March 4, near the corner of Pleasant and Alvar streets in the Desire neighborhood. According to the NOPD, a thief tried to steal copper wire from a utility pole that was no longer in use. The thief used a chainsaw to cutdown the pole, even getting the saw stuck. But there was no copper to take, and the pole hit the transformer on another utility pole — that was being used — knocking out power to about 7,000 customers.
It’s not the first cases of their kind that we’ve reported on the Wheel of Justice. Last year, we showed you video of someone using hedge clippers to try to cut wire from a stretch of utility poles.
To see the latest Wheel of Justice, watch the video at the top of this page.
If you see someone stealing copper wire, call 911. If you have information that could help police identify or locate some of the thieves, call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. You don’t have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward.
So far, more than 460 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the “Wheel of Justice.”
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