by: Kasia Kerridge

Posted: Feb 19, 2025 / 06:59 PM MST

Updated: Feb 19, 2025 / 10:04 PM MST

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver live music restaurant became victim to copper wire theft, a crime electricians in the metro area said is becoming more common.

Roxy on Broadway released surveillance to FOX31 showing two suspects, wearing ‘Security’ jackets and headlamps before 5 a.m. Wednesday morning in the frigid temperatures reportedly breaking the locks on their electrical boxes.

“They came in here and took out all of our copper wiring and feeders that go into the electricity inside,” said manager and bartender Heather Wolfram. “It’s really heartbreaking. We really like being in this neighborhood, but these incidents keep happening.”

The power was out all day Wednesday, which employees estimated impacted tens of thousands of dollars worth of product.

“We had quite a bit of food product, prepped food, back-up food, a whole delivery that was delivered today so we couldn’t store it. That was unfortunate,” said Wolfram. “Standing in the cold here, it’s just, it’s sobering in the fact that these things happen so often to small businesses.”

Electricians working to fix Roxy on Broadway’s power said they are seeing more of this type of crime, mostly committed against commercial businesses around the Denver area.

“Our theory is they are electricians that are out of work and are sitting at home. The way they take this stuff, they almost leave it left where it’s set up to put back again,” said Daniel Vargas of All Electric. “They cut it where it’s still reparable, whereas if someone that didn’t know what they were doing, probably would damage the equipment.”

Roxy on Broadway has been hit by criminals two other times in just over a year. In December 2023, employees reported a rock thrown through their window. A month later in January 2024, someone reportedly broke in, stole food/alcohol products and lit fires.

“Seeing this stuff continuously happening to a business that really just wants to support local artists, local musicians and just be a neighborhood place for families to come and hang out… I feel bad for us. It’s sad,” said Wolfram.

Instead of starting a fundraiser, Roxy on Broadway is asking for people to simply come visit and support their business as they get back on their feet.

“We do open deck nights for DJs, we do open mic nights for singer/songwriters, jazz on Wednesday nights, so tonight. But, weekends are really fun, we do dance parties, local musicians, touring musicians, magic shows,” said Wolfram.

All Electric recommends having cameras and alarm systems around businesses to help prevent similar thefts.

“It could go all the way to $2-3 per pound when you’re buying it in the scrapyard. We buy it by the foot, but they buy it by the pound so the more they take and the bigger the wire, the higher the cost they will get back for it,” said Vargas. “All the cost on everything is rising, you’re going to continue to get things like this happening. If eggs are going up, why not wire?”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5684231&forum_id=2...id.#48683746)