Manhole rescue leads to copper wire theft suspects

An underground rescue operation was underway in Chatsworth where two men were believed to be in the middle of a copper wire theft, according to police.

Authorities responded at around 2 a.m. to the area near Mason Avenue between Chatsworth and San Jose streets after a neighbor said he saw two men stealing copper wire.

One of the men was in custody but the second person refused to come out. Firefighters believe that the person is possibly unhoused.

Firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department used a specialized camera to see the man and communicate with him.

According to Batallion Chief Adrian Vasquez with LAFD, they saw the man moving around and saw some equipment and ripped up wires.