Brazen scrap metal thieves rip off light poles along I-70

Indiana taxpayers are being ripped off and highway safety is being compromised, all due to brazen metal thieves who are stealing the wiring from highway lighting poles.

Despite additional security measures, and the mortal danger presented by stealing live electrical wires, the thievery persists, especially along the Interstate 70 and I-65 corridors in west-central Indiana.

The result has been darkened highways, threatening the safety of drivers and a growing cost to Indiana taxpayers as Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews replace missing wires to relight highways.

Since March of this year within the INDOT Crawfordsville District, state highway lighting wire theft has cost Indiana taxpayers more than $200,000 in repair and replacement costs.

Several hundred lighting poles have been targeted by thieves who use any means necessary to rip out and steal wiring to sell to scrap yards for quick cash.

INDOT and Indiana State Police (ISP) have been working together to catch the crooks and prevent future theft, but with more than 1,000 highway lighting poles in the INDOT West Central District alone, it's a big job.

Now authorities are asking the public to pitch in.

What can the public do?

-- See something, say something: Drivers should call 911 if they see anyone around highway lighting poles.

Whether the person is dressed in official highway safety gear and uniform or not, the public is asked to call. ISP will investigate all individuals around lighting poles.

What are authorities doing?

-- Investigate everyone: ISP will arrive on the scene and investigate anyone working on or around highway lighting. Official highway lighting workers will be required to show proof of their license to be in the area. Without proper identification, the individual may be arrested.

-- Additional patrols: ISP has stepped-up patrols around highway lighting, while INDOT crews are patrolling the hardest-hit areas both day and night.

-- Security cameras are watching: Traffic Management Center technicians are focused on highway cameras 24 hours a day and will call police about any suspicious activity.