$20K in copper wire stolen from streetlights on Fort Myers Beach

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

Approximately $20,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from streetlights on Fort Myers Beach, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a report Thursday.

According to the report, a worker first noticed that the wires running between individual streetlights had been stolen from multiple sites across the island. An employee of the Florida Power and Light company told deputies that approximately 15,000 feet of wire was stolen, valued at $20,000.

Replacing the wire and fixing the broken connections, the employee said, would cost around $40,000.

The town of Fort Myers Beach commented on the theft, saying:

"The Town was deeply disappointed to learn of this theft, particularly as the streetlight project was nearing completion and moving forward successfully. This project represents meaningful progress in Fort Myers Beach’s continued recovery, and it is extremely disheartening that criminal activity would interfere with that momentum.

"At this time, the matter is part of an active investigation being handled by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The Town trusts that LCSO will conduct a thorough investigation and identify those responsible. Because the investigation is ongoing, the Town is unable to comment further on investigative details.

"With regard to insurance and financial responsibility, any coverage related to the stolen materials and associated repair costs would fall under the contractor’s insurance, not the Town’s. At this point, the Town does not have confirmed projections regarding delays or any potential downstream financial impacts to taxpayers.

"While the financial aspects are still being evaluated, the emotional cost to the community is significant. Fort Myers Beach continues to rebuild with resilience and determination, and it is frustrating and disappointing to see progress undermined by criminal behavior. These actions affect not only infrastructure but also the morale of a community working hard to move forward.

"Public safety remains a top priority for the Town, and staff continues to coordinate closely with project partners to ensure impacts are minimized as much as possible.

"The Town’s message is simple: actions like this hurt the entire community, and we fully support law enforcement efforts to hold those responsible accountable."

An arrest has not been made.

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