Copper wire thief caught in the act in front of ABC30

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A copper wire thief picked the wrong street to rip off tonight. He was caught in the act by the ABC30 security guard right across from the station.

Police arrested a 33-year-old man after they found him sitting by a light pole on G Street in Downtown Fresno stripping copper wire. ABC30's security guard asked not to be identified but described what he saw.

"He had a clip on light right here and I saw his hands going up and down the pole and then before I knew it I saw the street light blinking itself and I said "whoa" he's messing with the wire in there."

The thief had already caused significant damage to the light by the time he was caught. Turns out several lights on G Street have been stripped. When police checked the man's garbage bags they found yards and yards of coiled up copper wire.

Police say the suspect was already on felony probation for burglary.