Long Beach police arrested 41-year-old Russel Libberton on suspicion of metal theft after officers say they caught him hauling more than 100 pounds of copper and brass, along with burglary tools. The bust went down Friday afternoon near Cherry Avenue just south of the 405 Freeway, where officers detained Libberton after getting a tip, police said. He was wanted on a no-bail warrant and has prior convictions for sale or transport of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession, according to court records.
Investigators said they tracked Libberton down after a tip to LA Crime Stoppers, then stopped him and found the stash of metal they suspect is tied to a string of thefts, according to Long Beach Watchdog. The outlet reports he was arrested on May 1 in the 3000 block of Cherry Avenue and booked on a no-bail warrant, along with allegations of possessing burglary tools and more than 100 pounds of stolen precious metals. Police said the seized items are being treated as evidence in ongoing theft investigations across the area.
Police Say Copper Raids Are Draining City Services
"Copper theft can have a significant impact on our city infrastructure and cause disruptions to the services our residents rely on each day," Long Beach police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement, as reported by Long Beach Watchdog. Officers told the outlet they believe the metals recovered in Libberton’s arrest line up with broader theft patterns that have left streetlights out and repair crews scrambling across the city. The case follows a recent run of stripped light poles and other metal thefts that have been keeping city maintenance teams busy.
Why Copper Keeps Getting Stolen
City officials have warned that copper wiring thefts are not minor nuisance crimes. They knock out lighting and drive up repair bills, according to Long Beach Post. The Post reported that spending on streetlight repairs jumped 724% in two years and detailed how thieves usually pry open the box at the base of a pole, then cut and pull out the copper wiring. Once stripped, a single streetlight can yield dozens of pounds of metal. Local reporting notes that roughly 10 feet of wire weighs about a pound and can bring in several dollars per pound at scrap yards.
City Response And Next Steps
At a recent City Council meeting, elected officials directed staff to come back within 90 days with a full map and inventory of the city’s lighting system, data on response times, and proposals to shrink the repair backlog, Long Beach Post reported. "We know many residents ask (and) don’t really care about the why, sometimes," Councilmember Megan Kerr said, according to the Post, as officials discussed how to get lights back on faster. Police said the investigation into the metal thefts remains active, and anyone with information is urged to share tips with local law enforcement.
Libberton remains in custody while detectives work to determine whether the seized metals connect to additional cases. Investigators have not yet said whether he faces formal charges tied specifically to the recent metal-theft spree. Neighbors and nearby businesses in blackout-prone areas say they are hoping a stronger crackdown will finally dim the appeal of ripping copper out of the city’s streets.
