Circuit breakers seem to have joined the listing of potential targets for thieves throughout the state who prey on metals and infrastructure.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies began investigating a rise in circuit breaker thefts in February, the division stated in a launch Wednesday. Deputies arrested 65-year-old Eugene Popa of Perris final week and seized hundreds of allegedly stolen circuit breakers stacked in massive storage bins throughout two places.
Deputies allege that Popa bought stolen circuit breakers from thieves who took them from new dwelling development websites or retail shops. He then sought to resell them on-line, deputies allege.
In recent times, thieves have taken a rising quantity of copper, bronze and different metals from streets, buildings and development websites, almost definitely hoping to promote the products for scrap. The thefts have left some streets and bridges, such because the rebuilt sixth Avenue Viaduct, at the hours of darkness.
A Carson cemetery had greater than 100 plaques stolen. Fireplace hydrants, with their brass innards, turned such such common targets that utility corporations modified their design so thieves couldn’t entry their bolts as simply. Practically a dozen century-old mild poles in Pasadena have been ripped from the bottom.
Now, circuit breakers seem like drawing thieves’ consideration. The concept of shopping for a breaker that isn’t new in its packaging, although, troubles Ronnie Gor, a licensed contractor and developer.
Secondhand circuit breakers like those Popa is accused of promoting on-line may be harmful. If repairing a circuit breaker in your house, it’s best to persist with a brand new breaker and name a licensed electrician, Gor stated.
“If one thing goes incorrect, your life might be at risk,” she stated.
As a safety towards theft throughout development, circuit breakers usually go into properties which can be nearly completed and have locks or different types of safety already in place, Gor stated. She’s had instruments and different gear stolen from job websites, she stated, however by no means circuit breakers.
Particular person circuit breakers can value anyplace from $7 to greater than $60, relying on amperage and mannequin.
Paul Dashevsky of GreatBuildz, a website that helps join customers with contractors, stated circuit breakers have been stolen out of a house he was renovating on the market about 10 years in the past, however none since then. “Someday you might have your electrical panel,” he stated, “and the following day you don’t have any switches.”
The associated fee to exchange them was about $400, he stated. “Definitely it’s irritating,” he stated, however the loss didn’t break the financial institution.
