Copper thieves steal more $30,000 in wire from Fullerton schools

Copper thieves have stolen more than $30,000 worth of wire from Fullerton schools in the last three weeks, hitting Nicolas Junior High, Richman Elementary and Laguna Road, police said Monday.

The thieves have struck at night, ripping the wire out of air-conditioning units at the campuses, police said.

The state is experiencing an epidemic of metal theft, in part because the price of copper is surging.

“With students soon returning to school and the current weather conditions, the lack of air conditioning negatively impacts the learning environment,” the Fullerton Police Department said in a statement.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the thefts to contact Det. Brent Rebert at (714) 738-6785.

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