Bronze Heist: Vintage Streetlights Mysteriously Vanish Overnight

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A pall of mystery hangs over Pasadena as over a dozen irreplaceable 1920s-era bronze streetlight poles have vanished into the night, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a gaping void in the city’s streetscapes.

A Historical Legacy Uprooted

These century-old streetlights have stood as silent witnesses to Pasadena’s storied history, their soft glow casting a warm ambiance over the city’s streets. Their intricate designs and timeless elegance speak volumes about the era from which they hail.

Now, these guardians of the past have been ruthlessly torn from their foundations, leaving gaping holes that echo with the loss of heritage. The city’s public information officer, Lisa Dederian, laments the sheer magnitude of the thefts and their profound impact: “In the last four days alone, we’ve had 11 of them stolen.”

Thieves in SoCal stealing 1920s-era bronze streetlights
Rusting chains, grim evidence of the attempted theft of a Pasadena streetlight (Courtesy: City of Pasadena)

A Mystery Unveiling

The authorities have embarked on a full-scale investigation to shed light on these brazen thefts. Evidence suggests that the perpetrators are using vehicles to ram the streetlights, employing chains to forcibly extract these heavy objects from their foundations.

Residents are not only dismayed by the loss of their treasured city adornments but also alarmed by the implications for their safety. As Pasadena resident Allen Nolet somberly reflects: “It’s an embarrassment, a shame. You have to think people are hurting way more than is obvious to do something like that, or they just have no regard beyond their own selfishness.”

A Call for Witnesses

The authorities implore the public’s assistance in this investigation. Any eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, or any information, however seemingly insignificant, could prove invaluable in tracking down the culprits and recovering the stolen streetlights.

Pasadena’s once-bright streets now bear the scars of these ruthless thefts, casting a pall over the city’s reputation as a jewel of Southern California. As the search for truth and justice continues, the community awaits the resolution of this perplexing case that has left an unwelcomed shadow on their collective past.

Data sourced from: ktla.com