Thief goes to new low to steal copper

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - Someone is going to new lows to steal copper.

Literally.

Austin Energy officials said someone with sophisticated equipment is getting underneath manhole covers and taking thousands of feet of copper wire.

“We know of eight instances since mid-October,” said spokesman Carlos Cordova.

Cordova said many of those instances have happened in the downtown area and likely are occurring late at night.

“You have to have the proper equipment to do this,” said Cordova. “This is sophisticated group of individuals.”

The damage and repairs are estimated at $900,000.

Austin Energy said they are working with police to find the thieves and the stolen wire. They say the wire that was stolen is a neutral wire that could cause a dangerous situation for workers.

“You don’t want to touch something because it can shock you if the neutral wire is not there," Cordova said.

Cordova said anyone getting beneath manhole covers should be working out of an Austin Energy truck.