Copper Thieves Causing $1 Million in Damage and Service Disruptions
Copper thieves have infiltrated AT&T facilities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex more than a dozen times in recent months, causing over $1 million in repair costs and leaving thousands of residents and businesses without phone and internet service—including access to 911 emergency systems—as Texas now ranks third highest nationwide for copper theft incidents on the telecommunications giant's network. The escalating crime wave has prompted AT&T to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests. At the same time, law enforcement officials report a staggering 545% increase in copper theft incidents targeting the company's infrastructure over the past two years, compared to 2020-2022 levels.
The Scope of Destruction
AT&T's network infrastructure in Dallas has become a prime target for thieves seeking valuable copper wiring, with one company building housing critical network equipment suffering break-ins at least a dozen times. Surveillance video captured one particularly brazen theft, showing a criminal hooking a chain to a truck to rip open a rear-access door before stealing copper lines connected to generator systems.
"When this happens, it takes our customers out of service. They don't have access to their phones or the internet. They don't have access to 911, emergency services," said Alisha Remek, AT&T's vice president of construction and engineering, according to Fox 4 News.
The criminal activity extends far beyond building break-ins. Thieves have systematically stripped copper wiring from utility poles across North Texas. In an alarming escalation, they are now accessing underground manholes—some reaching depths of 20 feet—to steal copper from subterranean cable systems.
Miguel Flores, a cable splicer for AT&T in Dallas, described the dangerous conditions thieves are exposing themselves to in pursuit of copper. "These manholes are filled with toxic fumes. Anyone who goes in without the proper equipment and training, for that matter, could essentially not come back," Flores told Fox 4 News.
Millions in Nationwide Losses
The financial toll of copper theft extends far beyond the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with AT&T spending approximately $30 million nationwide to repair stolen cable and infrastructure. The DFW region alone has accounted for over $1 million in repair costs, reflecting the severity of the local problem.
These repair expenses represent only part of the actual economic impact. According to industry analysis from CircleID, the estimated value of stolen telephone copper nationwide reaches between $1.5 and $2 billion annually. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that theft of copper electrical wiring costs around $1 billion per year across all sectors.
"Every time this happens, it's becoming more and more difficult for AT&T to source this copper to replace the services that have been interrupted," Flores explained. Replacement copper components often require custom ordering, significantly delaying service restoration for affected customers.
Texas Takes Third Place in National Copper Crime Rankings
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's copper theft problem has contributed to Texas achieving an unwanted distinction: the state now ranks third highest nationwide for copper theft incidents across AT&T's network. This ranking reflects a broader pattern of metal theft that has plagued the region as copper prices have fluctuated.
According to Broadband Breakfast reporting, DFW was ranked second in the United States for copper crime prevalence during the 2022-2024 period. The dramatic increase in theft incidents—545% over two years—demonstrates how quickly the problem has escalated from isolated incidents to a persistent threat to telecommunications infrastructure.
The rise in copper theft correlates directly with metal prices, which currently hover around $4.46 per pound. As CircleID noted, theft incidents typically increase whenever metal prices climb, creating a direct financial incentive for criminal activity.
Public Safety and Medical Access at Risk
The impact of copper theft extends far beyond inconvenience for residential customers. Sergeant Anthony White of Fort Worth's Metal Theft Unit emphasized the broader implications for public safety and critical services.
"Not only does this impact home Internet, it impacts people with medical devices, critical medical devices at home, hospitals, post offices, and all facets of life, to include your local coffee shop," White told NBC 5.
Medical access represents a particularly critical concern. Dallas Express reported that in June 2024, AT&T customers in South Dallas experienced days-long outages of phone and internet services due to copper cable theft. These extended outages prove especially dangerous for elderly residents and individuals with chronic health conditions who depend on telecommunications access for emergency services and medical consultations.
Mayor Pro Tempore and District 5 City Council member Gyna M. Bivens highlighted the community impact: "At one point, I had one neighborhood without internet service for more than two weeks, and that was unacceptable," she told NBC 5.
From Utility Poles to Underground Networks
Thieves have developed increasingly sophisticated methods for accessing copper infrastructure. Beyond the dramatic truck-and-chain technique captured on surveillance video, criminals are using unmarked utility vehicles to strip copper from utility poles across the region systematically. Some operations involve reeling copper off poles into large spools, mimicking legitimate utility work to avoid detection.
The migration to underground theft represents a particularly concerning escalation. Criminals are accessing manholes containing critical telecommunications infrastructure, despite the life-threatening risks posed by toxic fumes and confined spaces. The underground cables targeted in these thefts are not easily replaceable, requiring specialized equipment and custom-ordered components.
According to Fun Asia reporting, thieves are now "going underground—literally" to access copper wiring in manholes filled with dangerous, toxic fumes. This evolution in criminal methodology demonstrates the persistent demand for copper and the lengths to which thieves will go to obtain valuable materials.
Law Enforcement Response: Rewards and Regional Coordination
AT&T has implemented a comprehensive response strategy that includes financial incentives for public assistance and enhanced security measures. The company's $10,000 reward program targets "specific and detailed information" that leads to arrests and convictions for copper cable thefts or attempted sales of stolen copper in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
"Theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure are serious matters that affect public safety and the community at large," said Michael Peterson, AT&T's Assistant Vice President of External Affairs, according to Dallas CultureMap. "Maintaining high-quality service is a top priority, and we're working closely with law enforcement to investigate any incidents."
The company has expanded reward programs beyond Texas, offering up to $20,000 in California, where copper theft incidents increased from 71 in 2021 to more than 2,200 in 2024. This geographic expansion of incentive programs reflects the nationwide scope of the copper theft problem.
Technical Countermeasures and Infrastructure Adaptation
AT&T has implemented several technical solutions to combat theft and minimize its impact. According to Scrap Monster reporting, the company has begun installing trackers into cables and enclosing wires in new metal casings. As part of efforts to eliminate copper as a theft target, AT&T has started removing existing copper cables from manholes in favor of fiber-optic alternatives.
The shift toward fiber-optic infrastructure represents a long-term solution to copper theft concerns. Fiber-optic networks use thin, bundled glass fibers to provide internet service via light waves, eliminating the valuable copper components that attract thieves. However, the transition process creates vulnerability as companies often overlash fiber onto existing copper lines—meaning fiber repairs become necessary when thieves pull down infrastructure to access supporting copper.
"It's a big problem if thieves pull down fiber to get to the supporting copper because the fiber repairs in this situation will not be quick," according to CircleID analysis.
Public Cooperation and Community Awareness
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins emphasized the community responsibility in addressing copper theft: "When thieves target copper wiring, they often damage critical infrastructure, leaving our residents without essential services or a way to contact loved ones during an emergency. It's a serious issue that impacts everyone. That's why we need to spread awareness and work together to stop those responsible," according to Dallas CultureMap.
The public can contribute to enforcement efforts by reporting suspicious activity, particularly unmarked vehicles or individuals cutting and removing cable from utility infrastructure. Tips can be submitted anonymously to local law enforcement or AT&T Global Security & Investigations at (800) 807-4205.
Infrastructure Resilience and Regional Solutions
The copper theft crisis in Dallas-Fort Worth reflects broader national trends that require coordinated responses from telecommunications companies, law enforcement agencies, and local government. As Mayor Pro Tempore Bivens noted: "It's affecting not just the city of Fort Worth and not just the city of Dallas. It's happening nationwide. People are stealing copper. And when you depend on your internet to have your virtual doctor's visit… It impacts your life".
The transition to fiber-optic infrastructure offers long-term hope for reducing copper theft vulnerability, but the immediate challenge requires sustained law enforcement attention, community vigilance, and continued investment in security measures. With copper prices remaining elevated and demand for telecommunications services continuing to grow, the battle against infrastructure theft will likely require ongoing adaptation of both security strategies and network design to protect essential communications systems that underpin modern economic and social life.