Theft of copper wiring short-circuits game

A football game between two Riverside County high schools was moved Friday because of the overnight theft of copper wiring used to light the stadium.

The 250 feet of wiring -- worth about $1,500 -- was stolen from Ramona High School stadium, forcing the game between Arlington and Corona high schools to be moved to the King High School stadium about eight miles away.

The theft is one of more than a dozen that have occurred in the last year and the second this week, officials said. The wire, which has cost the district more than $100,000 to replace since January, is often sold for scrap.