Louisville recycling centers stay alert for stripped copper wire stolen from interstate lights

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville recycling centers are looking out for stripped copper wire, stolen from interstate lights, a problem that's left drivers in the dark and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Louisville-area recycling centers, like Derby City Recycling, are on high alert, especially when they see new customers. They are taking a look at what materials are being brought in and making sure they aren't marked with "Property of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet," the etched mark on stolen streetlight copper owned by the state.

One-by-one, copper thieves continue to steal wires along highways, knocking out roughly 1,400 streetlights throughout Jefferson County. There are 25 interchanges in Jefferson County that are currently dark because of the thefts, and some areas across Jefferson County have been targeted multiple times, including:

Interstate 264 at Bank Street
I-264 between West Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Southern Parkway
Interstate 64 at Adams Street and Story Avenue
Interstate 65 at eight locations between Broadway and Fern Valley Road

KYTC offering reward in copper wire thefts 3-5-24 — Copper thieves are once again targeting interstate lights in Jefferson County. (WDRB photo/Tuesday, March 5, 2024)

"I think they take it out of state," Steve Robey, owner of Derby City Recycling, said Thursday. "They use four-wheelers to pull that wire out late at night.

Matt Bullock, an engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said it's very damaging when thieves mess with the copper wiring in even just one light pole because they operate like a string of lights for a Christmas tree. When one light stops working, they all go out.

"We've been slow on relighting some of these intersections because the one at 64 and 264 has been hit five times," Bullock said. "$1 million for everything is very expensive, if we put all of our resources into the lighting side of things, we may not be able to be as responsive for roadway repairs, like potholes."

With around 200 feet between each light pole, Bullock said thieves can pull out around 300-600 feet of copper wiring. There have been four instances of reported copper wire theft over the past two weeks, KYTC said, and, since 2020, damages from the thefts have cost nearly $1 million.

"You just got to keep your eyes open and make sure that you're not a victim of it," Robey said. "Because, I mean, it could cost you a lot of money."

James Chestnut, the owner of Metaltronics in Louisville, said one wire from a 30-foot pole can cost about $10-$12.

"It's local, because the guys that are stealing this don't have the means to go far," Chestnut said Thursday. "This is for an immediate quick income."

With damage exceeding $3,000, the thief or thieves could face Class D felony charges, which carry possible prison sentences of one to five years.

Derby City Recycling in Louisville. March 7, 2024. *(WDRB Photo)*

State law requires recycling centers to obtain identification of sellers and a certified statement as to the sources of the scrap metal being sold to deter theft.

"It's frustrating," Chestnut said. "As an owner-operator — and any of my peers will say the same thing — I mean, we're made into scapegoats. It's as if we are fencing stolen material on purpose. I can honestly tell you I don't know of anybody that wants to have to deal with it."

"Us taking stolen material doesn’t make a lot of sense. We're not jeopardizing million dollar operations for, you know, $100."

Each wire weighs about 1 pound per foot, but thieves are also burning and stripping the wire to conceal the state-owned marking.

"They're making money, but you're taking a heck of a chance, too," Robey said.

KYTC is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Metro Councilwoman Madonna Flood and Council President Markus Winkler said Thursday they're both open to re-evaluating the current scraping ordinance options. Flood said since many of the suspects are selling it elsewhere, it may be time to "work with surrounding counties."

"Until the legislative bodies do something about it to really tighten it down, nothing's going to change," Chestnut said. "We're all going to be victims. We're all going to be frustrated and we're all going to be on TV talking about it."

Drivers are asked to report any known information about wire thefts in the state to KYTC's Office of Inspector General at 502-330-7506. In Louisville, drivers can call in tips to LMPD's anoymous Crime Tip Line by calling 502-574-LMPD (5673). Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the department's online Crime Tip Portal by clicking here. Dark intersections can be reported to KYTC's Traffic Operations Center at 877-FOR-KYTC (367-5982).

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