DENVER — Copper thieves have disrupted RTD light rail services and caused more than $100,000 in damage, according to RTD. The thefts have been ongoing since April.
RTD said its police officers have responded to 21 instances of copper wire theft across its rail lines. The estimated total of the damages is $110,000, the agency said.
The thefts are occurring overnight near track signals, switches and rail crossings, RTD said. The copper wire powers signals at rail crossings, as well as the the high-voltage circuits that power light rail trains' overhead wires. Each time theft occurs, rail services are disrupted until stolen wire can be replaced and repairs completed.
The agency said it has been taking precautionary measures to deter would-be thieves including embedding the copper wires in railroad ties, installing wooden covers, and greasing the wires to lessen their value.
Thieves target the wire because copper is in demand. Numerous transit agencies in the U.S. and Canada have reported an increase in thefts of copper wire, RTD said.
So far, one arrest has been made, but RTD believes multiple people are involved in the thefts.
Anyone who may see something suspicious around light rail signals or tracks should call RTD police at 303-299-2911 or by texting information to 303-434-9100.
