Suspect arrested for copper wire theft

The latest incident of copper wire theft in Madera County had crews working all day repairing 10 downed telephone poles, each costing $3,000.

“Sawing down a telephone pole just to get copper wire,” said Erica Stuart, Madera County Sheriff’s.

And the man deputies say is responsible is 36 year old Eric Harper, a parolee out of Madera County. He was arrested at a home in Fresno with $20,000 worth of copper wire. He may also be connected to other copper wire thefts in Fresno County, an investigation that's been ongoing since March 1st. 20 different incidents of copper wire stolen from telephone poles.

“This is a really good arrest for the AG task force detectives and it's a good lead with what's been going on this side of the county with thefts,” said Deputy Chris Curtice, Fresno County Sheriff’s

Fresno city councilman Lee Brand has been an advocate of cracking down on copper thieves. He says 90 percent of street lights that are out in Fresno are because of copper metal theft but he doesn't see it stopping anytime soon.

“People are getting more and more creative and it's very disruptive costly for cities, counties and businesses,” said Brand.

Brand isn't surprised by the latest theft but he is thankful no one got hurt.

“It's very dangerous and there are people who have been electrocuted trying to get copper wire, it just shows how desperate people are and the measure they'll take to get copper wire,” said Brand.

Investigators believe the main reason for the high volume of copper wire theft- to support drug habits.