Copper Theft Is A Felony In Florida

It makes sense why people would want to steal gold. If this were not the case, then screenwriters would have to come up with new movie plots, and filmmakers would have to set the climactic sequences of action films somewhere besides a bank vault, even if it meant building new film sets. Likewise, it only makes sense that people do not leave gold lying around, and when people are able to steal it, it is only through carefully planned break ins or through actual or threatened violence. From a legal perspective, stealing copper and other nonferrous metals, that is, metals that do not contain iron, is a felony when you steal them from communications services providers, electrical substations, or utilities. Metals with a low resale value are essential to the operation of our infrastructure, so copper theft is a first-degree felony. A Palm Beach County man is currently facing criminal charges for stealing copper wires from a telecommunications facility where he used to work. If you are facing criminal charges for copper theft, contact a West Palm Beach theft lawyer.

Lantana Man Accused of Stealing Copper Wires From Former Workplace

In June 2025, Samuel Tirado of Lantana was arrested after a traffic stop on I-95, when police recognized his license plate from the site of a telecommunications facility which had been a target of sabotage and copper theft. The traffic stop took place near a scrap metal dealer, and Tirado had recently entered the highway after visiting the scrap metal dealer. He is currently facing the following criminal charges:

• Copper theft
• Criminal mischief
• Dealing in stolen property
• Trespassing
• Pawning stolen items

A search of Tirado’s vehicle yielded a receipt from a scrap dealer that said that Tirado had sold copper wires and grounding plates for $120. Police estimate that the damage he caused to the telecommunications equipment in the course of stealing the copper exceeded $10,000. He allegedly damaged equipment belonging to Dish, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

As for why the police were looking for Tirado’s license plate, an employee of the Edison Electric Institute notified them of suspicious behavior by Tirado. The employee had seen Tirado use his employee ID to enter the property, but the source did not believe that Tirado worked there.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Tirado used to work for Edison Electric Institute, but he was fired in 2022 for poor work performance. His work ID still enabled him to enter the premises. Other evidence that the prosecution plans to use against Tirado is surveillance camera footage that shows him entering and exiting the premises, a chain that looks like it has been cut, and a water bottle found at Edison Electric Institute that may contain traces of Tirado’s DNA.

Contact a West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Attorney William Wallshein has more than 41 years of experience, including five years as a prosecutor in Palm Beach County.  Contact William Wallshein P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida to discuss your case.

Sources:

cbs12.com/news/local/lantana-man-arrested-for-10k-telecom-site-theft-netting-just-120-from-stolen-copper-west-palm-beach-scrap-metal-copper-edison-electric-institute-june-7-2025

codes.findlaw.com/fl/title-xlvi-crimes/fl-st-sect-812-145/#:~:text=(4)%20A%20person%20who%20knowingly,775.084.