SAN JOSE – Bolivar Sanchez Lopez, 30, was remanded on $50,000 bail from charges under PC 484-487(a) – grand theft, PC 594(a)/(b)(1) – vandalism, PC 496 (a) – receiving or concealing stolen property, with prior allegations under PC 667.5/1170 for a prior conviction. Lopez was found to be in possession of more than $900 in copper wiring on Feb 18 by the San Jose Police Department after vandalizing the City of San Jose property.
Lopez targeted light poles for their copper wire, leaving them disabled.
A reporting party called police after seeing Lopez in the parking lot stealing wire from city lights near the 5800 block of Rue Ferrari Drive, near the Shoe Palace Corporation. When SJPD officers arrived to the scene Lopez began to flee on foot, leaving behind copper wiring he had removed from several light poles with several burglary tools and personal items. It was estimated that the value of the wiring to be more than $2500.00
The damage to the lights was also estimated at being more than ten thousand dollars.
All the light poles were not working in the area once the cables had been disconnected by Lopez. He had ridden a bike to the area in order to help move quickly from light pole to light pole. Lopez was seen pulling the black insulation wire through a fence at the end of the street. A backpack full of stripped copper wire, bolt cutters and a grey and white striped jacket were located at the scene.
Lopez gained access to the wires through maintenance ports.
Lopez had cut through a trail leading to Coyote Creek along Blossom Hill and Piercey Road. Officers were able to locate Lopez as he was traveling along that trail. He was questioned at the scene and then taken to the Santa Clara Main Jail where he was booked for the wire theft and property damage to light poles. The next court hearing has been scheduled for July 30 at 9:00 am in Dept 30.
Lopez has a history of arrests, but records show his 5 prior charges were all drug related. Dating back to February 2008, when he was picked up for possession of paraphernalia and being under the influence, with similar charges occurring later in 2008, 2009, 2010, and May of 2013.
Photos: Google Maps, Amy Nilson.
