Long Beach
Police Department
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273
(562) 570-5273
The Long Beach Police Department conducted a pilot program to impact metal theft issues that have been taking place throughout the North Division. The program, which began in January, will continue due to its success in combatting area metal theft issues.
The Metal Theft Impact Team was formed after officers attended a statewide metal theft investigation course. Working closely with the department's Burglary Detail, the officers took the tools from this course and developed their own program to combat metal theft, and developed positive contacts with industry representatives and many regional law enforcement metal theft investigators.
The Metal Theft Impact Team officers have done an outstanding job following-up on metal theft crime reports generated by North Division patrol officers. The officers have also assisted the North Division Burglary detectives on several residential burglary cases. Working closely with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office, their efforts have led to the successful case filings on the following individuals:
| Name: | Age: | City of Residence: | Charges: |
| Daniel Shubin | 34 | Long Beach | Possession of stolen utility wire |
| Anthony Isaacson | 24 | Anaheim | Grand theft copper |
| James Harris | 28 | Long Beach | Possession of copper wire w/out documentation |
| Corey Harden | 19 | Los Angeles | Residential burglary (2 counts) |
| Jesse Pagan | 25 | Long Beach | Residential burglary |
| Joshua Lindsey | 18 | Long Beach | Residential burglary |
Additionally, the officers have been reporting metal theft incidents to the statewide "ScrapAlert.com" alert system, which is a California Legislature mandated program to help law enforcement fight metal theft.
The Impact Officers have made contact with area recycling centers, putting them on notice to report suspected metal thieves that come to their properties hoping to sell their stolen contraband, so they remain in compliance with the law. Typically, these thieves steal copper and metal wiring from our schools, park and city light poles, commercial yards and vacant buildings. The losses to these public and private entities often soar into the thousands of dollars.
The L.B.P.D. is encouraging businesses to practice the following safety tips, which may prevent them from becoming victimized:
- Install security alarm and cameras and ensure they are working properly
- Install motion sensor lighting around your property, specifically near areas where wiring is accessible
- Post signage advertising security measures you have in place, which may serve as a deterrent
- Check on your property regularly, especially if the property is vacant
- Secure any exterior electrical or utility boxes that may house wiring
- Add identifying markings on wiring with paint or marker when possible, which could connect recovered wiring to locations that have been burglarized
- Report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 9-1-1
- Suspicious activity may include: vehicles parked around vacant buildings for extended periods of time and usually in the late evening or early morning hours, subjects on school or park grounds after hours or on the roofs of buildings, subjects loitering around cell phone towers or tampering with any electrical/utility boxes or covers without identifiable uniforms or service vehicles
If your business has been a victim of metal theft, report it immediately by calling the Police Communications Center at (562) 435-6711. If you have information regarding metal theft activity, please contact the L.B.P.D. Burglary Detail at (562) 570-7351. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.