safety
Las Cruces police warn about copper wire thieves
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- The Las Cruces Police Department on Thursday warned the public for suspicious people who steal copper wire from light poles and new construction sites.
Police think people steal copper wide from light poles, take off plastic coating, chop the wire into small section ...
Key takeaway Police said scrap copper wire can sell for about $5 per pound at the centers.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The copper wire thefts in Las Cruces pose a significant concern for El Paso residents, given that the stolen materials are being sold to recycling centers in our city. This illicit trade not only affects Las Cruces' infrastructure and public safety but also has implications for El Paso's own efforts to combat metal theft. The fact that scrap copper wire can be sold for a substantial amount, $5 per pound, suggests that El Paso's recycling centers may need to increase scrutiny of the materials they accept to prevent inadvertently facilitating these crimes. Furthermore, the public safety hazards caused by the thefts, such as roads without lighting at night, are a concern for El Pasoans who frequently travel to Las Cruces. El Paso residents should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities, and our city's leaders should consider collaborating with Las Cruces to address this regional issue.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- The Las Cruces Police Department on Thursday warned the public for suspicious people who steal copper wire from light poles and new construction sites.
Police think people steal copper wide from light poles, take off plastic coating, chop the wire into small section ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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