Copper thieves stole almost a mile and a half of copper wire worth almost $50,000 in Wahiawa Wednesday night, knocking out power to more than 35 street and freeway lights.

Honolulu police opened a first-degree theft case and a first-degree criminal property damage case shortly before noon Thursday in connection with the lost wire.

Three strands of copper wire measuring 5,760 feet in length, valued at $44,000, were taken from areas along H-2 Freeway in the south-bound direction near the Leilehua off-ramp. Another area along Pineapple Road lost 1,800 feet of copper wire worth $4,800.

Police and state deputy sheriffs believe a loosely affiliated group has been stealing copper from H-1 in Kapolei and H-2 near Ka Uka Boulevard.

Miles of copper wire have been disappearing from light fixtures along state freeways for more than a year, and large stretches of freeway remain unlit at night.

Copper theft has been on the rise in the Islands, with criminals stealing not only from street and freeway lights, but churches, schools and the airport.

Losses in copper-theft cases reported to Honolulu police in 2006 surpassed $760,000, police have said.

Police say the copper is being recycled for cash.

On freeway thefts alone, the state has spent about $300,000 to replace wiring stolen from overhead lights, and experts say that figure could top $1 million once the wiring is replaced.

Current law requires scrap recyclers to check — but not record — the identity of anyone trying to sell copper. They also must get a signed statement from the seller — usually on the receipt — saying the seller has the right to sell the copper.

Recyclers who violate the statutes face a misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

This year, the state Legislature toughened the penalty for stealing a pound or more of copper, making it punishable by up to five years in prison.

Police have arrested dozens of copper thieves, and one man was electrocuted while trying to steal copper.

Copper thieves face misdemeanor charges if the market value is under $300, felony charges if it exceeds $300.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.