A St. Paul man involved in a group that stole copper wire from streetlights has been sentenced with no additional jail time after pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft. Paw La, 34, was sentenced Wednesday to 72 days in jail, with credit for the time he had already served. In addition, La was ordered to pay just over $1,000 in restitution within two years.
La is one of at least five individuals charged in connection to copper thefts that occurred between November 10, 2023, and January 15, 2024. Authorities say a confidential informant led investigators to the ringleader of the operation, Kyaw Klay, who allegedly made over $12,000 by stealing copper wire from streetlights and selling it to recycling plants.
Klay, who organized the thefts and used La to help sell the stolen copper, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting energy or telecom damage just a week prior to La’s plea. Klay’s sentencing is scheduled for May.
Another suspect, Eh Tha Blay, will have their trial begin in June. Nay Thar, who was also involved in the thefts, was sentenced last September to three years of probation for aiding and abetting first-degree property damage.
The case highlights the growing issue of copper theft, which can cause significant damage to public infrastructure and incur high repair costs.
