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Business & Tech

Woman Charged in Cell Tower Copper Raid

Authorities allege Desaree Cindy Scire tried to take the semi-precious metal from a Verizon tower in Seal Beach.

A 33-year-old woman accused of trying to steal a "massive amount" of copper from a Seal Beach cell tower pleaded not guilty to burglary charges this month.

Authorities allege Desaree Cindy Scire broke into a Verizon cell tower at the corner of Aster Street and Almond Avenue earlier this month with at least two other people and tried to pilfer the semi-precious metal.

According to court records, Scire, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces a felony charge of second-degree burglary and misdemeanor charges of possession of burglary tools and of vandalism causing less than $400 in damages.

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Scire is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in a Westminster courtroom April 12. 

Seal Beach Police Department officers arrested Scire March 7 after cops foiled a scheme to make off with a “massive amount” of copper from a Seal Beach cell tower, according to a SBPD spokesman.

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When officers arrived, they saw several people moving in and out of the structure. Officers arrested a Scire at the scene, but two other suspects fled the area on foot.

Scire's attorney could not be reached for comment. 

Investigators said thieves broke into the tower, killed the power, stripped the copper wire from within and then bundled the metal for removal. Officers searched the area for other suspects and found none.

Following a similar theft in January officials said the SBPD stepped up patrols in the area.

According to SBPD Detective Ron La Velle, copper prices have more than doubled in the past two years, and the theft of copper from telephone lines, electrical substations, highway infrastructure and residential homes has grown exponentially.  

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to please contact Detective Joe Hardin 562-799-4100 extension 1109.

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