Phoenix, United States - May 07, 2025 05/07/2025 03:00 am GMT-0700 PHOENIX, Ariz. – According to preliminary information gathered at the scene: ADOT Traffic Operations Center employees notified DPS about an alarm triggered from an in-ground power box on the southbound I-17 near the on-ramp from 19th Avenue shortly after 3:00 a.m. ADOT employees reported that the alarm was triggered after power to an in-ground utility box was abruptly cut. ADOT notified troopers of a possible copper theft in progress after camera operators spotted a male suspect tampering with the power box in question. Troopers responded to the scene and located the suspect on the right shoulder of the southbound I-17 mainline just east of 19th Avenue. Troopers detained the male and found evidence on his person linking him to the suspected theft of copper wire. ADOT guided troopers to the area where the suspect was spotted tampering with the power box. Troopers located the box and found obvious signs of fresh vandalism/copper theft. The suspect was taken into custody by AZ DPS. An ADOT representative was at the scene surveying the extent of the damage. At least one street light near the scene of the attempted theft appears to be without power.