Metal Thefts by 'Meth Heads' Cost Santee Thousands of Dollars

Santee Mayor Randy Voepel said the City is fed up with copper thefts and vandalism at city parks, he wrote in an email to Santee Patch, citing a recent incident at Town Center Park that cost the city at least $2,000.

Wire thefts cut into a casing for the water pumps at Town Center Park the night of Dec. 22, according to the City. For about $50 worth of copper wire, a $2,000 piece of equipment needed to be replaced. The theft also cut off the water supply to the City park facilities for a time. 

The city wrote that the Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.

"I believe most of the thefts are done by the "Meth Heads" desperately trying to get the next fix," wrote Voepel (read his whole message). "This is a perfect example of how such a little return for the thief can do so much damage to the City."

"We will persevere, as we usually catch the Copper thieves sooner or latter, they aren't THAT smart," he wrote.

The Dec. 22 incident caps a string of metal thefts and vandalism in the 9400 block of Cuyamaca Street, as seen in a recent crime report, with four reports of metal theft reported beginning Dec. 14, around Town Center Park and related facilities.

• Dec. 14- Grand theft of metal- 9500 block Cuyamaca St- valued at $4,000.
• Dec. 17- Grand theft of metal (copper), vandalism- Victim: City of Santee- Mission Creek Dr @ Cuyamaca St- valued at $6,000.
• Dec. 17- Vandalism- Victim: City of Santee- 9400 block Cuyamaca St- Electronics valued at $1,000.