Sacramento Police caught a copper thief red-handed at a North Sacramento park over the weekend.
On Sunday, June 24, 2012, the Sacramento Police Department arrested 29-year-old Patrick Hayes for vandalism, destruction of electrical lines, and for possession of burglary tools and stolen property.
The arrest would not have occurred were it not for a citizen calling in the suspicious activity, the quick response and diligent investigation of patrol units and follow-up by the Sacramento Police Department’s Metal Theft Task Force.
At 11:55 a.m. police were dispatched to a report of a subject stealing copper wire from a city light pole pull-box at Triangle Park (2579 Traction Avenue). Officers arrived on scene, contacted Hayes and began their investigation into the possible theft. Officers found that a significant amount of wire was stripped out of the pull-box running between two city light poles. They also recovered a duffle bag full of the stolen wire and burglary tools.
The reporting citizen saw recent local media coverage about wire theft in the city, realized what was occurring and called the police.
Damage to the city property is estimated at $1200.00.