RTD seeks public’s help following copper wire thefts
Transit Police sharing images of two suspects from video footage for identification
DENVER April 29, 2026 –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is investigating a series of copper wire thefts along the G Line that caused service impacts last week, and RTD Transit Police is asking for the public’s help to identify two suspects captured on video. The most recent incident occurred on April 24 at 2:25 a.m. north of the Clear Creek•Federal Station in the 2400 block of West 65th Avenue. Another copper wire theft along the G Line occurred at 6:31 a.m. on April 23 at the Lowell Boulevard crossing that required the crossing gates to remain lowered. The first theft last week occurred at approximately 5:15 a.m. on April 21 near the Pecos Junction Station where approximately 14 feet of copper wire was removed.
Investigation underway
RTD Transit Police Detective Bureau is sharing video images of the two suspects. Anyone who recognizes these individuals and/or their location may contact RTD Detective Jorge Villegas at [email protected] or by phone at 303.299.3183. Transit Police issued a bulletin to regional law enforcement agencies on the morning of April 24 for assistance in identifying the suspects.
Copper wire thefts are an industrywide challenge and not isolated to the Denver region. Many agencies that are impacted by this activity communicate with one another to share best practices and strategies to deter incidents. To discourage thieves, agencies embed copper wire in railroad ties or asphalt, install wooden covers, and grease the wires to make them less valuable. The demand for copper has created a market for thieves to target critical infrastructure around the world. In the U.S. and Canada, multiple transit agencies have also recently reported an increase in copper wire thefts, resulting in service disruptions.
Mitigating these crimes
In October 2025, RTD-PD established its own detective bureau enabling Transit Police to investigate and prosecute copper wire thefts, among other crimes. Detectives can investigate these crimes across the entire service area spanning eight counties and 40 municipalities whereas a local partner agency may not have the resources available to see the investigations through. RTD has an extensive network of cameras throughout its service area and the agency’s video investigations team uses footage to identify suspects and vehicles.
RTD Transit Police has also engaged local resellers of copper wire to look out for copper wire resale and contact the agency. Because these crimes often occur opportunistically across a wide area, RTD is constantly monitoring and adjusting tactics to address the issue.
Impacts
Whether copper wire thefts result in service disruptions depends on the specific wires that are stolen. Typically, wire theft can result in service delays but can cause a shut down when overhead power is affected. In these instances, bus shuttles are implemented to ensure service is available for customers. The agency faces varying costs for labor and material replacement to restore service. Individual thefts range from several hundred to several thousand dollars in materials alone.
The agency warns thieves and would-be culprits that trespassing on RTD’s tracks is dangerous and deadly. Trains can approach from any direction at any time and are unable to quickly stop or slow down. Additionally, there is a real danger of serious injury or electrocution from exposing and handling the system’s copper wires.
Contacting Transit Police
Customers may report suspicious behaviors or unwanted activity 24/7 by contacting RTD Transit Police at 303.299.2911. Non-emergency security incidents may be reported using the Transit Police security form. In the event of an emergency, customers should always call 911.