Long Beach police say they arrested a 41-year-old homeless man on suspicion of stealing more than 100 pounds of precious metals, including copper and brass.
After receiving a tip, officers located Russel Libberton on Friday afternoon on Cherry Avenue just south of the 405 Freeway, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
When they took him into custody, Libberton allegedly had burglary tools and more than 100 pounds of valuable metals with him that police suspect are connected to “ongoing theft investigations in the area,” police said.
Libberton was also wanted for a no-bail warrant and has previous convictions for sale or transport of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, according to court records.
Copper theft has had “a significant impact on our city infrastructure” and disrupted everyday life for residents, Chief Wally Hebeish said.
In a March presentation, city officials said they’ve increased spending on streetlight repair by 724% over the past two years.
Thieves usually steal it by prying open a box at the base of a light pole, snipping the copper wire, then pulling it out from one end.
Once removed, 10 feet of wire weighs about a pound and sells for up to $4.60 as scrap. The amount of copper stolen from a single streetlight can weigh up to 25 pounds.