A copper thief who keeps coming back to the same East Austin construction site has police asking for the public’s help and putting up a potential cash reward. Austin police released surveillance video of the suspect after yet another hit on the repeatedly targeted property and say a reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information that leads to an arrest.
Video Shows The Theft
According to FOX 7 Austin, the latest theft happened around 4:20 a.m. on a Thursday at a site in the 1100 block of Shady Lane. Surveillance footage shows a person removing copper from the property. Police told city officials the same location has been hit eight times since March 30 as detectives review footage and canvass the area. Investigators have not identified a suspect, and no arrests have been announced.
How To Pass Tips To Police
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Austin Police Department’s Commercial Burglary Unit at 512-974-5308 or submit an anonymous tip to Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477, according to the City of Austin. Police say tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for the reward mentioned by investigators. Officials also ask residents to preserve any doorbell or security footage that might show the suspect and to avoid confronting anyone they believe may be involved.
Part Of A Wider Spike
The Shady Lane hits are part of a broader wave of copper and wire thefts that has swept across Austin in recent weeks. Austin Energy has said crews have had to replace stolen conductors and repair vandalized street lighting after nearly a dozen fixtures were stripped in North Austin, and local police arrested a suspect in that case earlier this spring, according to FOX 7 Austin. Utilities warn that the damage can be costly and dangerous because some lines remain energized when cut.
What The Law Says
Texas law treats theft according to the value of property taken, with increasingly severe penalties for higher value losses, per the Texas Penal Code. That means repeated or high-value copper thefts from construction or utility sites can expose suspects to felony charges depending on the amount involved.
Neighbors And Next Steps
Neighbors have reported similar vandalism and wiring thefts in the area, an issue local outlets have chronicled. a "wire cutter" incident that left homeowners with thousands in repairs underscored the local pattern. If you see suspicious activity, call 911 immediately and then contact APD or Crime Stoppers with any details.
