A late-night call to 911 ended with a North Austin man in handcuffs and nearly a dozen streetlights left in the dark, after police say copper wire was ripped out and thousands of dollars in damage was done.
Authorities identified the suspect as 56-year-old David Ekakiadis, who officers arrested at the scene on Feb. 12. He is charged with third-degree felony criminal mischief, with investigators estimating the damage between $30,000 and $150,000.
Detective Rocky Reeves said, "A witness saw this incident and called 911, which is critical because law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once," according to FOX 7 Austin. Officers took Ekakiadis into custody around 3:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of Ridgepoint Drive, near a Tesla showroom off U.S. 183/Anderson Lane. FOX 7 reports that details on the charges were drawn from Travis County court records.
Austin Energy Warns of Live Wires and Hidden Hazards
Austin Energy says copper thieves sometimes pry open transformers and other electrical equipment, cutting out wire and walking off with the metal while leaving some lines still energized, according to Austin Energy. That can create serious risks not only for utility crews who show up later, but also for anyone who gets too close to damaged gear.
The utility notes that under state law, having certain types of copper or brass without a legitimate reason can itself be a felony. Each theft also pulls staff, equipment and replacement parts away from other jobs, which officials say can delay routine repairs and push back critical service work while crews rebuild what was torn out.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
Investigators say the North Austin arrest is a good reminder that what neighbors see and report can make or break a case. Anyone with information about copper thefts can submit an anonymous tip to Capital Area Crime Stoppers, and some tips may qualify for a cash reward. For active crimes in progress, residents are urged to call 911 immediately.
For incidents discovered after the fact, Austin police ask that people hang on to any doorbell or security camera footage that might show suspicious activity and could help track suspects. Visit Capital Area Crime Stoppers for online tip forms and full contact details.
Part of a Bigger Copper Crime Problem
City officials and local reporting say copper theft has become a recurring headache across the Austin area, hitting utilities, businesses and vacant properties and causing repeat safety problems and service disruptions. In response, the City of Austin and telecom partners have rolled out reward programs and public advisories aimed at catching suspects and protecting infrastructure, including a collaboration with AT&T detailed in a 2024 city release.
For more local context on the trend, see coverage of an Austin wire cutter on the loose after $4K hit on home and the city’s advisory on rewards and reporting.
Legal Stakes for Alleged Damage
Ekakiadis faces a third-degree felony charge based on the alleged $30,000 to $150,000 in damage. Under Texas law, that level of loss qualifies as a third-degree felony, which can carry a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Prosecutors are allowed to add up damage from multiple items if they say it is part of a single scheme or continuing course of conduct. See Texas Penal Code § 28.03 for the full statutory language.
Police and utility officials credit a quick-thinking witness for helping lead to the North Austin arrest, and they stress that anyone who sees people messing with streetlights or electrical boxes should call 911 rather than approach. Austin Energy says crews will keep focusing on safety as they repair damaged equipment, while investigators and Travis County prosecutors move the case forward.
