Suspected Copper Thief Pulled From West L.A. Manhole
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Man Charged with Attempted Grand Theft After Being Found in Manhole
Elliaz Natividad, 25, was criminally charged on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, with attempting to steal copper wire after being discovered inside a manhole in the View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles County district Attorney’s Office.
The incident began on Saturday, October 12, 2024, when a resident observed Natividad entering a manhole and alerted authorities. Deputies arriving at the scene found Natividad inside the manhole and took him into custody, as reported by NBC4 Los Angeles.
Charges Filed Against Natividad
Court records indicate Natividad faces one count of attempted grand theft of copper materials valued over $950 and one count of possession of burglary tools. He was cited and released on October 11, 2024, the same day authorities suspected copper wire theft caused internet outages for Verizon customers across Los Angeles, as detailed by the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which patrols the unincorporated area, did not instantly comment on whether Natividad is connected to the Verizon outages. Authorities have not disclosed whether Natividad caused any damage to infrastructure during the incident.
The Rise of Copper Wire Theft
Copper wire theft is a growing problem across the United States, driven by the metal’s high scrap value. According to the Copper Advancement Association,the value of stolen copper can fluctuate considerably based on market prices,making it an attractive target for thieves. The association estimates that copper theft costs the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
This theft often targets critical infrastructure,including telecommunications cables,power lines,and even ancient buildings. The consequences can range from service disruptions, like the recent Verizon outage, to significant safety hazards and costly repairs. In some cases, tampering with electrical infrastructure can be life-threatening.
| Year | Estimated Cost of Copper Theft (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $100 million |
| 2021 | $150 million |
| 2022 | $200 million |
| 2023 | $250 million (estimated) |
Recent incidents and Regional Impact
The incident involving Natividad is not isolated. Across Southern California, law enforcement agencies have reported a surge in copper wire