Pasadena is appealing to the public for information related to recent thefts of bronze light poles, some of which have historical significance dating back to the 1920s.
Approximately 11 bronze street lamp posts have been stolen in the last week, said Lisa Derderian, a city spokesperson. “Vehicles are used to intentionally ram the light poles, and then the entire pole is stolen by the suspects,” she said.
Most of the recent incidents occurred along South Orange Grove Boulevard between Green and State streets. The first theft took place on Saturday, March 29, with the most recent occurring Monday night. Typically, they take place between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., Derderian said.
The recent incidents are part of a trend that initially started with stealing copper wire, which prompted collaboration between Pasadena officials and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to offer rewards for catching the thieves.
After the police made an arrest in connection with the copper wire thefts, the incidents appeared to decrease temporarily. However, thieves have since escalated to stealing brass plaques from city parks and bridges, and now, they are targeting bronze street lamps, Derderian said.
Police have added extra patrols throughout the city and detectives are actively pursuing leads in hopes of tracking the source of the thieves’ profits, or where they are selling the stolen items, she said. However, Pasadena’s historical value makes many of the stolen light poles hard to replace.
“These poles, some of them date back to the 1920s, and they’re historic and they’re difficult to find,” Derderian said. “So replacing them with replicas costs a few thousand dollars.”
Derderian urged the public to report any suspicious activity right away. Anyone with information can call 911, or the Pasadena Police at 626-744-6492, or 626-744-4241 if calling after hours.
Source: Orange County Register
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