Man Suspected of Stealing Copper Wire from City Lights

A 34-year-old Yucaipa man was arrested Wednesday by Redlands Police on suspicion he was stealing copper wire from city light posts.

The arrest is being touted as the first success for the department’s newly created Community Response Unit, said Carl Baker, a police department spokesman.

Stanley Ray Tankersley was arrested shortly after 4 a.m. May 1, after police stopped him near the intersection of Colton Avenue and Orange Street for vehicle code violations and for driving erratically, Baker said.

When they approached Tankersley officers discovered gloves, tools and four coils of 8-guage wire in his 1994 Chevrolet Impala, according to Baker.

“After investigation and interviews with Tankersley, officers determined he had recently stolen the wire from City light posts in the area of Crown Street, and Highland and Cedar avenues,” Baker said.

Tankersley was arrested on suspicion of vandalism. He could also face charges that he violated his probation as well as charges of burglary and grand theft, Baker said. He booked into Central Detention Center in San Bernardino where he is being held without bail, Baker said.

“The copper wire, stolen from at least four City light posts, was valued at about $500,” Baker said. “Damage to the City property was estimated at about $2,500. Theft of copper wire and damage to City light posts has been an ongoing problem. The cost to the City for replacement and repair is many times the potential recycle value of the copper wire.”

Wednesday’s arrest was the first for the department’s newly instituted Community Response Unit, which had been working a targeted detail after persistent wire thefts in the area.