Someone has been peeling copper off electrical poles near NW Expressway and Council, and Oklahoma City police say they need the public’s help to figure out who did it.
On Monday, Oklahoma City police posted photos of a person they want to question in connection with a copper theft that hit several electrical poles at a business near the busy intersection. Investigators say copper was stripped from multiple poles on the property, leaving electrical equipment damaged and sparking a search for whoever is responsible. Authorities are urging anyone with information or video from the area to come forward.
According to a post from the Oklahoma City Police Department, the surveillance stills are tied to case number 26-44603. The post describes the location as a business near NW Expressway and Council where copper was taken from several electrical poles, and officials say tips could be the key to identifying the person pictured.
How to report a tip
Per the City of Oklahoma City, tipsters can stay anonymous. You can:
- Call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300
- Submit information online at okccrimetips.com
- Use the P3 Tips mobile app
When you contact Crime Stoppers, reference case number 26-44603 so investigators can send your information to the correct detectives. Crime Stoppers may offer a monetary reward for tips that lead to charges or arrests in felony cases.
Why copper theft matters
Pulling copper out of electrical boxes and poles is not just a quick payday for thieves. It can knock out power, rack up costly repairs and create serious safety hazards for anyone who comes into contact with live wiring.
“First of all, it’s very dangerous to steal copper, because you never know if it’s alive or not,” a local metal recycler told KOCO in coverage of similar arrests. Police and recyclers say surveillance footage and community tips are often what stop copper thieves who sell scrap metal for quick cash.
If you have video from the NW Expressway and Council area or can identify the person in the photos, contact Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300 or submit a tip online and mention case number 26-44603. The Oklahoma City Police Department is asking anyone with business or doorbell cameras nearby to check recordings for the timeframe shown in the department’s Facebook post.
