In a recent string of bold thefts, suspects managed to steal nearly a dozen vintage street light poles in Pasadena, as reported by the police on April 10. The suspects used a truck and chains to forcibly remove the bronze poles from their foundations under the cover of darkness, with four separate incidents occurring over the past 10 days.
During the most recent theft attempt, the suspects were interrupted by a resident who called the police, causing them to flee and leave behind a rusted metal chain around one of the poles.
Paul Little, the president of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, expressed his dismay at the lack of regard for history and aesthetics shown by the thieves. He likened the theft to copper wire thefts, where criminals take advantage of unguarded property to sell it for profit.
The city’s public information officer, Lisa Derderian, stated that there is no easy way to prevent vandalism of the historic fixtures. She noted that the scrapped bronze from the poles could fetch around $400 each.
The vintage green light posts, which date back to the 1920s and feature distinctive globe-shaped bulbs, illuminate South Orange Grove Boulevard—a street known for its elegant homes and as the starting point for the city’s New Year’s Rose Parade.
These thefts are part of a larger trend of copper wire thefts that have affected cities across the Southland in recent years. Pasadena officials recalled similar thefts targeting the same vintage bronze poles around 12 years ago and before the pandemic.
Unlike Los Angeles, where neighborhoods are left in darkness due to repair backlogs, Pasadena officials ensure immediate repairs for outages. City Councilmember Tyrone Hampton emphasized that the departments responsible for public works and water and power promptly address outages to minimize disruptions for residents.
When the stolen fixtures are replaced, they are likely to be made of a different material due to the high cost and allure of bronze and copper. However, they will maintain the same appearance as the original poles due to existing molds and green paint.
To combat such thefts, Mr. Little stressed the need for “real and significant consequences” for all involved criminals, including those who steal the property and those who purchase it. Authorities continue to search for suspects and urge anyone with information to contact the Pasadena Police Department.
