3 suspects in copper cable theft arrested. Fort Worth saw 545% increase in AT&T wire theft
Three people were recently arrested in connection with the theft of over 150 pounds of copper wire, according to a news release from Fort Worth police.
Officers responded to a suspicious person call in the 2900 block of Shamrock Avenuve on Jan. 20, where it was reported that three people appeared to remove copper cable from a building.
Danny Kempe, 57, Sheldon Witt, 48, both of Fort Worth, and Darcie Jackson, 42, of Granbury, were arrested at the scene, according to the release.
During the investigation, officers used information from Lake Worth police, the Real Time Crime Center, and surveillance video to determine where the copper was taken from, and confirm the suspects’ involvement, Fort Worth police said.
The investigation recovered 155 pounds of copper wire, valued at more than $675. Each suspect was charged with one count of theft of material aluminum/bronze/copper/brass under $20,000, according to the release.
According to a city report, Fort Worth saw a 545% increase in reported AT&T cable theft and a 53% increase in metal theft overall between October 2020 and October 2024.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting Assistant Police Chief Robert Alldredge told council members that the thieves who are stealing copper can get as much as $20 for a foot-long strand.
Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens, whose district was particularly hard hit by metal thefts, said at Tuesday’s meeting that some neighborhoods in east Fort Worth have been without internet service for weeks.
“Copper cable theft is an offense that affects and disrupts critical communication services for citizens and businesses alike,” the release states. “The Fort Worth Police Department will continue to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to address and combat metal theft.”