Sheriff Hoping Social Media Helps Catch VTA Copper Thieves
SAN JOSE (KCBS)— Copper thieves have struck once again in the Bay Area, this time ripping out copper wiring from a VTA light rail train station in San Jose, but this time authorities have taken to social media to try and catch the thief.
It happened at about 3 a.m. on Thursday when a man stole copper wiring from the Santa Teresa light rail station and then drove off in a sports car. He may have thought he went undetected in those early-morning hours, but he was recorded by surveillance cameras on the platform and now his picture has surfaced on social media.
Sheriff Hoping Social Media Helps Catch VTA Copper Thieves
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office has posted photos on Facebook and on Twitter asking the public's help in identifying the suspect.
The copper wire is valued at over $10,000, but in cases like this, the damage done to the facility is likely to be many times more the cost of the metal.
Investigators have released surveillance footage of a suspect and suspect vehicle seen at the station just prior to the theft.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (408) 321-7137 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
