Thieves Targeting Light Poles On Indiana Roadways For Copper Wire
(CBS) -- Indiana State Police are on the lookout for thieves targeting light poles along roadways.
As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, the crimninals are after valuable copper inside.
It's lights out along a stretch of an expressway in Gary, Indiana after thieves stole copper wire from light poles aorund it.
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), in the past two months, about 100 poles in the northwest district have been hit, resulting in more than $100,000 in damage.
Police believe the stolen copper is being sold to scrapyards.
"They're taking the wire and they're melting off the plastic seal and taking it in just for the copper," said Doug Moats of the INDOT.
According to the INDOT, it takes the thieves only minutes to break the backs off bases and then pull all the copper wiring out.
Because of the proximity to the roadways, INDOT is asking drivers to report any activity they see around light poles, even if it looks legitimate.
"Notify the Indiana State Police. Notify INDOT so we can get a car out as quickly as possible," said Indiana State Police First Sgt. Terrance Weems.
Drivers who talked to CBS 2 say they plan to keep an eye out.
"It's dangerous. It's dangerous for everybody because we can't see at night," said Indiana driver Sharice Hogan.
"These thieves need to be in jail," added Lamar Larkin.
This isn't the first time thieves have targeted light poles in northwestern Indiana. Two and a half years ago, two men were convicted for causing about half a million dollars in damage. They're still serving time.
