Man Arrested in Los Angeles Area for Attempting to Steal Fire Hydrant

Police in Signal Hill, near Long Beach, arrested 53-year-old Jorge Beltran Carrillo on October 23 after he was observed attempting to steal a city fire hydrant. The incident was captured on surveillance video and shared by the Signal Hill Police Department.

The video shows Carrillo using a wrench to unbolt the hydrant from its base. He was subsequently arrested and booked on theft-related charges.

The Signal Hill Police Department stated that several fire hydrant thefts have been reported in the area in recent months. This follows a similar warning issued by police in Bell, in Southeast Los Angeles, about an increase in such crimes.

Authorities believe that individuals are stealing fire hydrants to sell the scrap metal at recycling centers. According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 302 fire hydrants had been stolen in the county since the beginning of 2023 as of June 2024.