12th District police nab wire theft ring; Solis crafts ordinance
By Dolly Duplantier
Two men were apprehended May 9 stealing AT&T cable wire from telephone poles in the 1400 block of south Paulina Street. Twelfth District Sergeant Brian Rybka, along with officers Thomas Gemskie, Dale Marten, and Iverliz Mathews, arrested the men, who admitted to seven similar crimes.
Since March 19, the area has experienced at least eight incidents of cut wire. According to Rob Biederman, spokesperson for AT&T Illinois, thieves took more than 1,465 feet of cable wire in the 12th District recently. The thefts took place near the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Medical District, mainly around semi-desolate sections where buildings are being torn down, and included Ashland Avenue to Wood Street, 1600 to 1800 west.
Rybka and his team monitored the area, where thefts were occurring every couple of days. While on duty, the team received a call saying two men had been seen trying to climb a telephone pole. The officers circled the area and observed the men exiting an alley with wire. One had a knife in one hand and in the other hand had wire that still was attached to the pole.
“We were lucky that a citizen called in,” said Rybka. “We were a block away and caught them in the act of cutting down the wires. That day they were able to cut down about three blocks of wire. We arrested them, spoke with them, and they freely admitted that they had been doing it.”
AT&T was pleased the individuals were caught, yet the problem of individuals turning in stolen scrap for cash remains. The practice has escalated in recent years because higher prices paid for scrap have made it more lucrative.
“Our ward is a developing ward with lots of rehabbing and new construction,” said Daniel Solis, 25th Ward Alderman. “Residents are missing gutters and copper tubing from air conditioners. Construction sites are being broken into and supplies stolen. People are stealing waterspouts, copper piping, etc. from construction sites. These things are being stolen from private and public property and being turned in for cash.”
In response to community concerns, the AT&T wire thefts, and complaints regarding similar incidents where items containing copper, brass, and aluminum were stolen, Alderman Solis introduced the Recycling and Junk Yard Facilities Record Keeping Ordinance to the City Council on July 19.
Currently, recycling centers and junkyards are not required to record their transactions; the new ordinance would mandate photo identification for those who turn materials in to such facilities. The identification must be issued by a Federal, State, or local government entity that lists the person’s name and address. If someone does not have a photo ID, the facility must photograph the person and on the reverse record his or her name, address, date of birth, gender, height, and weight. This provision has been added to ensure the homeless, who may not have identification, are not hurt by the ordinance.
Besides recording personal information, the receiving facility must record the transaction date, materials accepted, and price paid. Records must be made available to an agent of the Department of Environment and any member of the police force.
The ordinance also will require those turning in prohibited or regulated materials to show a license or permit to collect them. Prohibited materials include sewer covers, lamp posts, gas meters, telephone wires, stop signs, catalytic converters from automobiles, auto parts, copper piping, radiators, kitchen sinks, down spouts, aluminum siding from houses and garages, metal fencing and gates, license plates, and beer kegs.
According to Solis, an individual turning in items on the prohibited list needs to be licensed as a junk dealer or have a recycling permit. Otherwise, they must show ID and documentation that they purchased the materials. Recycling centers and scrap yards that do not adhere to the ordinance will be fined.
“This protects the consumer, the recycling centers, and scrap yards,” said Solis. “The people who steal this material will now understand that there are consequences and they will have to explain where they get these materials. It makes the community safer from these criminals, many of which are vagrants. They are ripping off public and private property and thinking they can get away with it.”
“I hope the ordinance will help control the thefts,” continued Solis. “Having some sort of record will help track stolen material and those involved. Potential thieves will have second thoughts about stealing property and making an easy buck. I think this will work well across the city considering all of the development going on.”
