Thieves Cut Copper From Victory Park EV Chargers

Suspects used a grinder to remove four charging cables from two stations in Pasadena's Victory Park, police say.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Property Crime

Photograph of a gray electric vehicle charging pedestal in a dry park lawn with two cut black cables ending in exposed copper, palm trees behind. — Thieves used a grinder to cut four charging cables from two electric vehicle stations in Pasadena's Victory Park on November 6, causing an estimated $30,000 in damage, police said. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Thieves stole copper charging cables from two electric vehicle quick-charging stations at Victory Park on November 6, causing an estimated $30,000 in damage and repair costs. The theft was reported to Pasadena police on November 9.

Why it matters

The incident damages public charging infrastructure that EV drivers in Pasadena rely on, and the repair costs fall on the city's public resources. It also highlights the vulnerability of valuable copper components in public infrastructure.

Police have only a limited description of the suspect, who is estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and other camera recordings from the area.

The players

Pasadena Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for investigating property crimes within the city of Pasadena, including the theft at Victory Park.

The details

A suspect used a grinder to cut and remove four eight-foot charging cables from two electric vehicle quick-charging stations on the Paloma Street side of Victory Park. The theft occurred on November 6 and was reported to police at approximately 11:50 a.m. on November 9.

November 6: Copper cables were stolen from the Victory Park EV charging stations.
November 9, approximately 11:50 a.m.: The theft was reported to Pasadena police.

Legal Context

The Victory Park theft fits a documented pattern of copper cable theft from public infrastructure, which has drawn increasing municipal attention because of the metal's high resale value. Cases like this are typically prosecuted as property crimes, with the scale of damage shaping how seriously the offense is treated.

Drivers who rely on the Victory Park quick-charging stations may find them unavailable while repairs are made. Residents near the park should be alert to any suspicious activity around exposed charging equipment and report it to police.

The takeaway

Public EV charging equipment is a target for metal thieves, so both cities and drivers benefit from reporting suspicious activity promptly. Checking that a station is operational before relying on it can save a trip if repairs are underway.