Woman wakes to man cutting wires in her Port Richmond backyard

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A homeowner in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia says she was awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of someone stealing copper wire from her backyard, an incident that disrupted Verizon service for nearby residents.

Amy Thatcher said she woke around 1:30 a.m. Thursday after hearing what sounded like metal being pulled outside her home.

"It sounded like metal being shaken and pulled," Thatcher said.

When she looked out her window, she saw a man standing on the fence in her backyard beneath a streetlight.

"He had in his hand some kind of tool, and he was pulling a giant collection of cords," Thatcher said.

She said she woke her husband, who ran outside, prompting the man to flee.

"He was a white guy, bald, wearing black shorts or dark colored shorts and a white top," she recalled.

The couple then noticed wires hanging in several neighboring backyards. Thatcher filed a police report, and Philadelphia police confirmed they are investigating the theft.

Photos taken by a neighbor of a man believed to be connected to the incident are being used as part of the investigation.

Later that morning, Thatcher's husband said he encountered a man matching the same description carrying wire.

"He ran into him again, and he saw a wire, so he took the wires," Thatcher said.

The recovered wire is believed to have been stolen from Verizon infrastructure.

"I mean, it must be worth something," Thatcher's husband said.

Police data indicates copper wire thefts are on a slight increase in Philadelphia.

The city recorded 83 reports of wire vandalism from January to August of 2026. In that same timeframe in 2025, there were 80 reported vandalisms.

One neighbor said the confrontation may discourage future thefts in the area.

"I'm hoping that because he chased them off, they'll get the message for the area," the neighbor said.

Verizon confirmed the stolen wire caused service disruptions for customers in the neighborhood but said crews restored service quickly.

"These are not typical equipment failures; they are deliberate, dangerous acts that disrupt the digital lifeline of the community," the company said in a statement. "We are working closely with local and state law enforcement and hold regular calls with partners to ensure mutual support and engagement in catching those responsible."

Thatcher said the encounter left her shaken.

"I just was not expecting a person on my property," she said. "I couldn't sleep after I saw him, and when he ran away I thought, 'Oh gosh, what if he comes back?' So yeah, I was afraid."

Police encourage residents to help deter wire theft by installing motion-activated exterior lighting, visible security cameras and motion alert systems, and by reporting suspicious activity.