Copper ‘crime ring’ arrested over $780,000 heists
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An organised crime syndicate used portable power tools to steal copper worth more than $780,000 from telecommunications infrastructure, police allege.
Detectives have for months tried to track down the culprits behind at least 50 copper heists in Melbourne’s north.
The theft of copper causes significant damage to critical infrastructure, police say.Credit: Bloomberg
Officers seized copper worth about $95,000 during raids last week and on Friday announced they had arrested six people over the thefts.
Victoria Police allege that between January and June, the organised crime syndicate used portable power tools to cut cables at telecommunications pits and access the huge amounts of copper.
It was not a victimless crime and had caused distress to the community through power and internet disruptions, Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said.
“The theft of copper causes significant damage to critical infrastructure, impacting telecommunication networks, public transport signalling and power supply,” he said.
“Our message to anyone thinking of stealing copper to make a quick dollar is simply: don’t. We have a number of methods allowing us to disrupt this offending as well as enabling us to identify and track down those involved.”
Police have charged a 43-year-old Bundoora man with stealing copper cabling worth $215,000 and damaging telecommunication footpath pits worth $30,000.
He was granted bail and will face Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court in September.
A 31-year-old Bundoora woman was charged with theft and is due to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court in November.
She will be joined by a 39-year-old Eltham man, who has been charged with possessing methamphetamine. He is also expected to be charged over the copper theft.
A 58-year-old Cottles Bridge man will appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court in November charged with handling stolen goods. Another two men – a 34-year-old Glenroy man and a 31-year-old Reservoir man – were arrested and released pending further inquiries.
Police urged anyone with information about copper thefts to come forward.
AAP
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