Broward County, FL - A significant portion of South Florida's roadways has been plunged into darkness following a series of alleged copper wire thefts from streetlights, prompting a multi-agency investigation into what authorities suspect is an organized criminal operation targeting public infrastructure.
A three-mile stretch of Military Trail, extending from Hillsboro Boulevard to Copans Road, has been left without functioning streetlights after thieves allegedly stripped copper wiring from every light pole along the route.
This area spans the cities of Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach.
Residents have expressed shock and concern over the brazen nature of the crimes.
The Broward Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and has identified similar incidents in neighboring cities, including Coconut Creek and Margate, over the past two years.
Authorities are exploring the possibility that these thefts are the work of an organized group targeting streetlights for their valuable copper components, which can fetch significant sums at scrap yards.
In a related case, Rikado St. Vil, 36, of Miami, was arrested in April 2025 for allegedly stealing over $20,000 worth of copper and electrical materials from a vacant office complex in Margate.
According to arrest records, St. Vil is suspected of orchestrating a series of break-ins between March 5th and March 24th, during which he allegedly dismantled electrical infrastructure to extract copper wiring.
Surveillance footage, license plate reader data, and scrap yard transaction records were instrumental in linking St. Vil to the crimes.
The City of Deerfield Beach has acknowledged the ongoing issue, noting that a significant amount of copper wiring has been stolen from light poles along Military Trail, including areas within Pompano Beach.
City officials are working to address the outages and restore lighting to the affected areas.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to streetlight infrastructure.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are collaborating to apprehend those responsible for these thefts.