Copper wire theft sends suspect scurrying into LA manhole and refusing to come out

An alleged copper wire thief scurried inside a Los Angeles manhole as police closed in, leading to an hourslong standoff the ended with the suspect being taken into custody.

A suspected copper wire thief was pulled from a manhole in Chatsworth, which police say he refused to come out of for hours Tuesday morning. KABC

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call about a copper wire theft in progress at an underground vault on Germain St. in Chatsworth early Tuesday morning, according to ABC 7. Officers quickly detained one suspect, while another hid inside a manhole.

Officers responded to a call about a copper wire theft in progress at an underground vault on Germain Street around 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to LAPD. KABC

Authorities deployed tear gas after several hours, prompting the suspect to finally emerge.

He was taken into custody shortly thereafter, according to ABC7.

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