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FORT WORTH, Texas – Copper theft is becoming a huge problem in North Texas.

Thieves sell stolen copper wire to recyclers for a quick buck, but then nearby residents and businesses are left without Internet access and telecommunications companies have to pay to replace the infrastructure.

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In Fort Worth, there has been a 545 percent increase in copper thefts over the past two years.

Just last month, thieves stole hundreds of feet of cable in the 300 block of East Seminary Drive.

“There were three men who gathered in this parking lot and cut this type of wire and segmented it and stole this material,” said Detective Benjamin Wright of the Fort Worth Police Department’s Metal Theft Unit Worth.

A nearby security camera filmed them and their vehicle in a lighted parking lot.

“In the video, there is a vehicle that they used. It’s a 2006 Ram pickup that’s black with a headache rack and the paint is faded like it was spray painted. And the bumpers were also spray painted and the wheels. they were chrome in color and after market,” Wright said.

The investigator believes the video is clear enough that anyone who knows the suspects will recognize them.

Anyone with information about them should contact him at 817-944-1790. Anonymous tips are also welcome.

Investigator Wright said copper thefts have been a serious problem for Fort Worth in recent years.

“It’s very serious. It’s knocking out business for days. Unfortunately, it’s affecting people who have medical issues and can’t get their life alerts or anything to work, and it’s affecting the internet in general, and now people need the internet.” he said.