2 arrested for stealing copper wire from Boulder power substation

DENVER (KDVR) — Two people were arrested for allegedly stealing a large amount of copper wire from a Boulder power substation.

Early Wednesday morning, the Boulder Police Department said a community member noticed two people enter and leave a power substation with bolt cutters. The tipster said the duo left several times with a shopping cart full of wire.

The Boulder Police Department said officers were on scene within minutes to investigate. They stopped one man who matched the description provided by the tipster.

Boulder police said officers with the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department stopped a vehicle not far away from the substation. Inside the car, officers said, was a large amount of copper wire.

Both suspects were detained, although police said they tried to deny their involvement.

Officers said they located wire cutters, wire stripping tools and drug paraphernalia. In total, the copper wire filled two shopping carts with an additional two shopping carts worth of wire on the ground and a full trunk.

Police said the wire had an estimated value of $2,000.

Following the arrests, the wire was returned to the substation and the suspects are facing charges of second-degree burglary, theft, criminal mischief and drug paraphernalia possession.