Recent BART fiber optic cable theft cost agency $1+ million

HAYWARD — A November BART shutdown caused by the theft of fiber optic cables cost the agency more than $1 million, according to recent estimates by authorities.

The Nov. 21 shutdown affected BART’s service between Hayward and the Berryessa/North San Jose station for most of the day. It was caused by a man who allegedly cut out 800 feet of fiber optic cable from an agency facility in Hayward, and loaded several spools of the wiring into his truck, authorities said.

The incident, first reported to the public as vandalism, is now being investigated as grand theft. Six days afterward, a person in a truck that looked similar to the suspect’s vehicle fled, and successfully eluded police, when a BART officer approached, authorities said.

No one has yet been charged in the incident, which was one of a monthslong string of shutdown and service disruptions for BART.

Staff writer Rick Hurd contributed reporting