Rise in copper theft affecting service, Austin Energy says

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Energy says copper theft is on the rise, with more than 20 major thefts in the city in the first six months of 2023.

They say thieves are prying open transformers and other equipment serving as the main power source to a building and cutting wires to steal copper conduit. 

Austin Energy says it appears the perpetrators have some knowledge of how to de-energize or isolate portions of electrical equipment before removing the copper. But sometimes the lines are left still energized, creating a safety hazard.

"It's clearly an organized group of people that know what they're doing, know how to energize electrical components, steal what is valuable, and then get away with it," Matt Mitchell, spokesperson for Austin Energy, said.

In some instances, safety measures have also been damaged or stolen, creating an even higher safety risk.

Austin Energy says the thefts have occurred at movie theatres, gyms, grocery stores and vacant commercial buildings, potentially costing commercial customers tens of thousands of dollars to repair.

One Austin man, Delwin Goss, says he's done electrical work for years, and after retiring, he started helping a nonprofit that builds homes for low-income families. 

Some days, volunteers would find copper wiring cut out. 

"[The thieves] didn't bring the tools to do a good job of it. They would do thousands of dollars worth of damage to get $50 worth of scrap copper, and they would commit a felony on top of everything else to do that," Goss said. "To steal from a nonprofit that's trying to make it a better world, it's like stealing from a church."

Goss says it even happened when his own home was being built in 2007 by the same nonprofit. 

"I don't understand people whose mentality has fallen that low in life," he said.

Goss says last year, thieves hit his friend's business in Southeast Austin. 

"He got cancer and was laying in the hospital dying and a building that he owned - the tenant moved out. Somebody went to his building and cut the copper out of it, and they broke into it," he said. "They were robbing a man that was dying. Just scumbags."

Goss says his friend and his family had to pay over $50,000 out of pocket for repairs. 

"I wonder if it's the same people [as the recently reported thefts]. They actually cut that copper out while the system was energized. They took a hell of a risk, a hell of a risk, and I hope they make mistakes someday. I don't have any sympathy for them."

The utility company is hoping to catch the thieves in the act by proactively responding to meter outages at large commercial buildings, especially those that are unoccupied, because that may indicate a theft is in progress. 

These thefts impact Austin Energy customers, as it drains critical equipment and staff resources, delaying energizing of new buildings and replacement of critical equipment that is already hard to find due to national supply chain issues. 

"Our focus on customer service is hampered by having to divert staff resources and critical supplies to repair equipment damaged by copper theft," said Elton Richards, Austin Energy vice president for electrical system field operations. 

"Instead of energizing commercial customers, we’re responding to damaged equipment and that pushes back critical services for our customers. The Austin Police Department is aware of the rise in copper theft incidents, so if you see something, say something by reporting it."

Austinites are asked to call 3-1-1 to report anything suspicious observed around electrical equipment. If someone sees what they believe to be a theft in progress, they should not approach the individuals and call 911 immediately.