Catching a Copper thief in the act...a Copper Theft Solution

A multi-camera VIDEOFIED system installed at a remote Cell Tower site caught a thief in the act of attempting to steal copper. The event is captured on 3 video clips. While proving the effectiveness of the system, these videos also demonstrate VIDEOFIED image quality, detection, and response time. “Hollywood” video quality is not the goal: the goal is apprehensions by immediately alerting monitoring staff of what caused the alarm. Why black and white? Because it delivers the best low-light and night vision images. VIDEOFIED enables monitoring centers to see the situation and make the right call.

What you see in the clips is exactly what the Central Monitoring staff saw during the break in. There are 3 clips that show the sequence of events as they happened, no editing, no staging.

The thief removes the AC unit and climbs into the dark equipment shelter at the base of the tower. The central monitoring staff immediately sees what is happening and call the police describing a crime-in-progress. Police are dispatched immediately. This is a good example of a "visually verified alarm."

The thief has grabbed his tools and is busy cutting cables, damaging equipment, not knowing that he is being watched and that the police are already on their way.

Look carefully in the background at the top left corner of this video you will see the police officers escorting the criminal to jail. This was captures by the outdoor camera positioned to protect the copper on the tower.

Mug Shot:

Police Incident Report Dallas County Court Document

Result:
In February 2008, Thomas Urzua entered a guilty plea in Dallas County, TX for burglary of the cell tower site. He was sentenced to three years and was ordered to pay restitution.

Summary:
This apprehension was made possible by verifying a crime-in-progress using new VIDEOFIED wireless security. This technology eliminates the need for wires, AC power, communication lines and expensive installation. The affordable solution provides event driven video, instant verification and expedited police response. Only VIDEOFIED technology delivers totally wireless video security. This is the technology of choice to eliminate copper theft, secure construction sites, protect air conditioners, and guard vacant buildings.