Austin Man Faces Felony Charge After Vandalizing 12 Streetlights for Copper Wire

Copper Theft Crisis Spreads Across Central Texas

A 56-year-old Austin man faces serious felony charges after allegedly vandalizing nearly a dozen streetlights to steal copper wire, highlighting a growing crisis that's putting both utility workers and the public at risk. David Ekakiadis is currently charged with third-degree felony criminal mischief between $30,000 and $150,000 for the February incident in northeast Austin.

An APD detective, one of three that investigates metal thefts, told KVUE that APD gets five to ten reports of copper thefts a week . The frequency has intensified as the cost of copper is at an all time high , making electrical infrastructure an attractive target for thieves seeking quick cash.

The streetlights were vandalized and damaged in the 2300 block of Ridgepoint Drive, near a Tesla showroom and off US 183/Anderson Lane. Austin Energy says that on Feb. 12 at 3:30 a.m., someone reported the vandalism to APD and APD arrested Ekakiadis on site . The arrest came thanks to a vigilant witness who called 911 after observing the suspicious activity.

Dangerous Work with Deadly Consequences

What makes copper theft particularly alarming isn't just the property damage—it's the life-threatening danger involved. "They don't know that sometimes it's energized at 7200 volts, uh, and it carries a lot of amps, so they're trying to cut that copper and they can be injured," Vogt said . Michael Vogt, a distribution crew leader for Austin Energy's Kramer Station, has seen firsthand how these thefts create hazardous situations for both thieves and repair crews.

"In addition to street lighting, thieves will pry open transformers and other electrical equipment that are the main power source to a building and cut wires to steal copper," said the utility in a release. "Some of these lines are left still energized, causing great danger to Austin Energy staff and the public" . The sophisticated nature of recent thefts suggests Austin Energy leaders believe that there is a group of thieves with some sort of expertise in either line work, electrical distribution or metering .

The scope extends far beyond streetlights. "It's not just from us, it's other areas, construction sites, uh, new home builds, abandoned buildings, uh, they're, they're people are trying to find it wherever they can find it," Vogt said . This widespread targeting affects everything from commercial construction projects to residential neighborhoods.

Legal Crackdown and Community Impact

Texas lawmakers have responded to the copper theft epidemic with tougher penalties. Last May, the state legislature has made it a felony to possess copper without proper authorization . The theft of some items such as firearms, or metals such as copper or aluminum are felonies, no matter the actual value of the items , meaning even small amounts can trigger serious criminal charges.

The financial and operational impact on utilities is substantial. "Our focus on customer service is hampered by having to divert staff resources and critical supplies to repair equipment damaged by copper theft," said Brock Carter, Austin Energy vice president of electrical system field operations. "Instead of energizing customers, we're responding to damaged equipment and that pushes back critical services for our community" .

Austin Energy said these copper thefts impact customers because they drain critical equipment and staff resources, "delaying energizing of new buildings and replacement of critical equipment that is already hard to find due to national supply chain issues" . The ripple effects touch new construction projects, commercial developments, and essential infrastructure maintenance across the region.

Looking Ahead: Prevention and Prosecution

Law enforcement emphasizes community vigilance as a crucial component in combating copper theft. "A witness saw this incident and called 911, which is critical because law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once," said Detective Rocky Reeves of the Austin Police Department. "We rely on members of our community to notify us when they observe suspicious or potential criminal activity" .

The Ekakiadis case demonstrates how quickly these crimes can escalate into serious felony charges with significant consequences. As copper prices remain elevated and construction continues booming across Central Texas, utilities and law enforcement expect the theft attempts to persist. The combination of enhanced penalties, community awareness, and coordinated law enforcement efforts represents the best strategy for protecting critical infrastructure that keeps the lights on for millions of residents.