Authorities in Pasadena are searching for a suspect or suspects who have stolen more than a dozen vintage 1920s-era bronze streetlight poles, officials announced Tuesday.
The thefts, according to a news release from city officials, occurred between March 29 and April 1 around the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. on South Orange Grove Boulevard between Green and State streets.
“In the last four days alone, we’ve had 11 of them stolen,” Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Dederian told KTLA.
The historic bronze streetlight poles are more than 100 years old and authorities said that replica-style replacements can cost upwards of $1,600.
In photos, a rusty, heavy-duty chain can be seen tethered to one of the poles, evidence left behind after the suspects were unable to shake the pole loose.
Authorities believe the suspects are using a vehicle to ram the streetlights before using the chain and the vehicle to forcibly pull the poles from their foundations.
“They’re backing in vehicles, tying a chain around them and yanking them out of the ground,” Dederian said.
Neighbor Doug Devos told KTLA’s John Fenoglio that he recently watched as one man in a flatbed pickup truck pulling a trailer attempted to steal one of the poles just after midnight.
“An individual got out of the truck and was casing one of these things, walking up, checking it out, going back and getting stuff,” he said. “From where I was across the street it was dark, but he was getting something to wrap around it.”
Devos reported what he saw to police, but by the time officers arrived, the man had already left the area.
The crooks, according to authorities, are likely trying to salvage the bronze that the poles are partially made from.
“They probably get $400-$500 for it, so that is really who we want to target, the middleman,” Dederian said.
Asked what kind of charges a person could face for this type of nonviolent property crime, Dederian said it’s likely vandalism and that the thefts will be prosecuted to the fullest extent the laws in the city allow.
Even more frustrating for residents is that the streets are now much darker at night, making people feel unsafe.
“It’s an embarrassment, a shame,” Pasadena resident Allen Nolet said. “You have to think people are hurting way more than is obvious to do something like that, or they just have no regard beyond their own selfishness.”
Anyone with any information about these incidents, who may have witnessed any suspects stealing the city’s property or who may have home surveillance footage of the thefts is urged to contact the Pasadena Police Department.