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

Two Men To Face Court Over Large-Scale Copper Wire Theft At Tomago

BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are due to face court over the alleged large-scale theft of copper wire at Tomago.

Police say between 14 November and yesterday, 4WD vehicles were used to steal 940 kilograms of copper wire from the Hunter Water site on Tomago Road.

Officers conducting surveillance noticed two vehicles enter the site at about 1am on Monday and were allegedly preparing to remove wiring.

They arrested a 47-year-old man at the scene - he's been charged with 3 counts of larceny greater than $15,000 and 3 counts of trespass.

A 38-year-old man was subsequently arrested at Anna Bay and has been charged with 2 counts of larceny greater than $15,000, trespass and goods in custody.

Both men have been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on 17 December, 2018.