Surveillance footage released this week shows a man prying bronze dedication plaques from the outside walls of several San Diego County libraries, leaving blank spots where community history once hung. Authorities say the thefts, taken in the dead of night at multiple branches, have prompted a countywide investigation. Librarians and local historians warn that the losses are more than material — they erase small public records of donors, dates, and local memory.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office put out surveillance photos of the suspect and his truck and described the incidents as a "grand theft" series; investigators say one theft occurred just before 11 PM on Oct. 17 at the Imperial Beach Library, when a bronze plaque valued at about $4,500 was removed and placed in the bed of a white pickup, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Detectives describe the suspect as a bald White man in his 40s to 50s, wearing a dark sweatshirt, gray shorts, and dark sneakers. They also state that the vehicle is a single-cab 2005–2010 Chevrolet Silverado with a steel front bumper. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest; anyone with tips can call the Imperial Beach Substation at (619) 498-2400 or the anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.
Local station CBS8 ran the surveillance video and a segment showing the pickup arriving and the plaque being taken, adding visual confirmation to the Sheriff's request for tips. The station's report includes timestamps and still frames that investigators say could help identify the suspect's route and possible salvage locations.
Where the plaques were taken
Sheriff's detectives say the Imperial Beach incident may be related to similar thefts at libraries in Lemon Grove, Rancho San Diego, Alpine, and 4S Ranch. Hoodline documented the list of affected branches and noted that several of the stolen plaques were commemorative or donor recognition markers.
Why thieves target plaques
Experts and cultural stewards say thieves are increasingly targeting bronze and other nonferrous metals for their resale value, and the theft of markers is part of a broader trend that has hit public art and memorials in other California cities. The Getty recently detailed how scrap-metal demand has driven losses of statues and plaques in Los Angeles, and local investigators say similar motives may be at work here. Scrap-price aggregators show bronze trading in the low single dollars per pound — roughly $2–$3 a pound — which helps explain why thieves will take heavy, awkward objects and risk damaging community property, according to iScrapApp.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to call the Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation at (619) 498-2400 or submit an anonymous tip to San Diego County Crime Stoppers online at sdcrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers says tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest. Investigators encourage residents with ring, doorbell, or dash-cam video from mid-October to review footage and report any suspicious activity.
Library staff say the loss is felt in more than dollars: donor names, installation dates, and other small local stories are now missing from buildings that rely on those markers to tell their past. The Sheriff's Office says detectives continue to follow leads and are asking neighbors to review their surveillance footage that might show the truck or the suspect. Anyone with a possible sighting is urged to contact authorities; the community's memory may depend on it.
-2.webp?w=160&h=400&fit=crop&crop=edges)
