Rail riders react after multiple copper wire thefts disrupt Sacramento light rail service

Rail riders shared frustrations after copper wire thefts disrupted Sacramento Regional Transit light rail service, forcing passengers off trains and onto buses.

SACRAMENTO, Calif — Rail riders shared frustration Wednesday after copper wire thefts disrupted Sacramento Regional Transit light rail service, forcing passengers off trains and onto buses before service was restored.

SacRT stated that the thefts damaged the overhead power system, resulting in service changes on the Gold Line. These changes included a disruption earlier this week between the 13th Street and Power Inn stations, as well as another on Wednesday between the Sunrise and Historic Folsom stations.

“We have to turn trains around,” said David Sanders, a SacRT light rail operator. “And people have to connect a bus that connects where the trains stop running to the other section where they stop running. It’s really our passengers that are disrupted.”

Transit officials said riders were required to use bus bridges during the service interruptions, adding time to commutes and appointments.

“I think it’s really very inconsiderate to steal the copper wire that is being used for the light rail,” said rail riders Nick and Aman. “It’s really impacting us a lot.”

SacRT said deputies assigned to the transit system arrested 51-year-old Jesse Jeremiah after an overnight operation near the tracks. Deputies said he was found with a wagon containing 18 large strands of copper wire belonging to Regional Transit and multiple burglary tools.

Investigators said a follow-up search of Jeremiah’s storage unit recovered additional evidence, and surveillance linked him to other thefts, including one that caused about $73,000 in damage. Authorities said he remained in custody without bail.

SacRT said another investigation led to the arrest of 32-year-old Addison Jones on Dec. 24 after deputies said he was found cutting copper wire near the Sunrise Station area. In-custody logs showed Jones remained in custody on $35,000 bail.

SacRT reported 49 incidents involving copper wire theft or vandalism last year, with each incident costing an average of $10,000 to $20,000.

In response, SacRT said it is increasing patrols, adding surveillance cameras, launching AI-powered drone monitoring this year, and replacing copper wire with stainless steel that has little to no resale value.