One-Third Of U.S. Copper Theft Hits California: Critical Systems At Risk

In response to a surge in copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism across California, Attorney General Rob Bonta convened a roundtable with law enforcement, utility companies, business leaders, educators, and elected officials to address the growing threat, the Attorney General’s Office announced. The meeting comes as California leads the nation in copper-related crimes, with nearly 1,805 incidents reported between June and December 2024, officials said. This accounts for one-third of all telecom copper thefts nationwide. “DOJ won’t tolerate anyone vandalizing critical infrastructure and endangering our communities to make a buck off of stolen copper,” Bonta said. “We all have a role to play in securing our infrastructure and protecting Californians.” Copper theft has triggered wides