An overnight operation on Sunday led to the arrest of a man for stealing copper cable from Caltrain tracks in South San Francisco, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
During the early-morning hours on Sunday, Jan. 11, deputies and volunteer pilots operating the Sheriff’s Office airplane were monitoring Caltrain tracks when they observed a man actively removing cable. With assistance from the South San Francisco Police Department, Diego Sanchez-Palomares, 24, was taken into custody, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He allegedly removed about 50 feet of cable, which was recovered. It is estimated to cost $5,000 to repair. The wires cost about $903, according to prosecutors who charged him with felony theft.
Sanchez-Palomares is on probation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sanchez-Palomares pleaded not guilty Monday, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, and will be in court again Jan. 22 for a Superior Court review conference.
He has two theft-related priors, Wagstaffe said, including a 2024 car theft and a 2025 theft of tools from West Marin Builders, a crime which he was on probation for when the alleged copper wire theft occurred.
Because the case is now charged under Proposition 36, Sanchez-Palomares faces up to three years and eight months in state prison
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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