Copper wire thieves target state parks

Copper wire thieves are now narrowing in on a somewhat defenseless target – state parks.

California state park ranger Daryl Woodward knows exactly where the thieves have been at a Benicia state park.

Woodward took KTVU up a path and showed off the damage that thieves did to one area.

The thieves dug a hole and ripped out copper wires from inside.

Linda Watt uses the trails within the Benicia State Recreation Area nearly every day.

Watt said she had no idea a bathroom at Dillon's Point had no electricity because of the vandals.

"My goodness, that's hard to believe," Watt said. "I hadn't seen anybody. This is the first time I'm hearing about it."

And neither did Richard Maddux.

Maddux, who lives nearby, said that he was far from surprised.

"There's a lot of copper thefts," Maddux said. "My neighbors house got all the copper taken out from underneath it just up the hill."

Woodward said those stealing copper put in a fair amount of work along old phone lines across the park.

Scott Selman, a ranger who patrols the grounds, said that in less than a year, thieves have caused $30,000 worth of damage.

"When you're taking the copper and thrashing whatever is existing it's going to take money to repair it," Selman said.

And for state parks slated to close in July, money is something they don't have.

State park officials have contacted recycling centers and asked them to keep an eye out.