Two Men Charged Over Another Alleged Copper Theft

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged over another attempted copper theft in the region this week.

Police were called to a property on Wangi Road at Myuna Bay at about 5:00pm on Wednesday the 2nd of August 2023, following reports copper cables were being stolen.

It's there they spotted two men, aged 38 and 49, allegedly removing the copper cables and loading them into a vehicle.

The pair was arrested at the scene and taken to Toronto Police station.

They've been granted bail to appear before Toronto Local Court on the 29th of August. 

Police Investigate A String Of Hunter Copper Thefts

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are appealing for information in relation to several alleged copper-theft incidents in the Hunter during June and July. 

A number of incidents have been reported over the last two months, including on Monday the 31st of July 2023, when police say copper cables were stolen from a site on Thomas Mitchell Drive at Muswellbrook.

The following other incidents are also being investigated by police:

• On Friday the 9th of June 2023, copper earth tails were stolen from more than 50 power poles along the Golden Highway near Merriwa.
• Between Wednesday the 5th of July and Thursday the 20th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near Wybong Road at Muswellbrook.
• On Friday the 7th of July 2023, copper cables were stolen from a site near George Booth Drive at Cameron Park.
• On Saturday the 8th of July 2023, electrical wires were stolen near Regents Drive, New Lambton.
• On Wednesday the 19th of July 2023, an attempted theft occurred on electrical wires at Tomalpin, near Cessnock.

It's also believed similar thefts have occurred at Morisset and Awaba. 

Officers are currently investigating the thefts and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

The incidents have also prompted Ausgrid’s Executive General Manager of Field Operations, Sam Sofi to issue a safety warning. 

He says people are putting their lives at risk by interfering with live electrical assets.

 

Police Hunt for Thornton Copper Thieves

BY TYLER FARDELL AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are appealing for the public's help after thieves made off with more than a tonne of copper cable from a business at Thornton.

At around 10:30 on Tuesday night, an unknown number of people attended the premises on Glenwood Drive and stole 1.5 tonnes of cable contained in a black rubber sleeve.

Police estimate the cable is worth approximately $30,000 dollars and believe the offenders used a vehicle to transport the stolen goods from the site.

Local businesses are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour, with police warning the offenders may try to sell the material to scrap metal dealers.

If the cables are burnt, they can emit plumes of thick black smoke.

Anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Image: NSWPF

"Brazen" would-be thieves target Toronto copper wires: Ausgrid appeal for information

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Ausgrid has issued a stern warning to would-be thieves that interfering with operational electrical wires endangers lives.

It comes after power was cut to 770 homes and businesses in Lake Macquarie early yesterday morning following an attempted copper wire theft.

Parts of Carey Bay, Toronto and Kilaben Bay were left in the dark between 2:55am until 7:30am.

When restoration crews arrived, they discovered 150 metres of copper cable coiled on the ground and powerlines dangling from poles with cable cutters still attached.

Power was safely restored to all customers, with the damaged power lines replaced, however Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Armstrong condemned the reckless behaviour.

"These were high voltage, live powerlines carrying 11,000 volts," he explained,"so not only is this attempted theft brazen, it is also incredibly risky."

He said the party responsible put the safety of the greater public at risk as well.

"This could have ended tragically for the alleged theives, and we were very fortunate that no one was injured," Mr Armstrong asserted.

Copper is a highly sought-after metal in current markets due to demand for the product in electronic devices and infrastructure projects.

Locals who saw any suspicious activity near Ausgrid's Toronto West zone substation off Awaba Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning are urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Call the coppers: attempted thieves left cable cutters attached to the damaged powerlines.