By Darren Whitehead | Denver Gazette, via 9 News
Copper thieves have disrupted RTD light rail services and caused more than $100,000 in damage, according to RTD. The thefts have been ongoing since April.
RTD said its police officers have responded to 21 instances of copper wire theft across its rail lines. The estimated total of the damages is $110,000, the agency said.
The thefts are occurring overnight near track signals, switches and rail crossings, RTD said. The copper wire powers signals at rail crossings, as well as the the high-voltage circuits that power light rail trains’ overhead wires. Each time theft occurs, rail services are disrupted until stolen wire can be replaced and repairs completed.