Attribute to Inspector Peter Cooper, Area Commander, Canterbury Rural:
Canterbury coppers unravelled an alleged copper thief’s plan on Sunday night.
Police recovered $200,000 worth of copper cable and apprehended a man following his dramatic exit from a commercial property in Lincoln.
In his initial getaway, the alleged thief rammed a vehicle blocking his exit, before abandoning his truck– and stolen material - on Lincoln Rolleston Road and escaping on foot.
The alleged offender’s scrap for freedom was short-lived, being foiled by the dog unit. The 53-year-old was charged with several offences including burglary, dangerous driving and intentional damage.
He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today (Monday 20 July).
Canterbury’s incident follows a similar alleged crime in Henderson overnight.
Police are asking anyone with information about copper crimes, or of scrap copper that may come from suspicious origins, to contact Police immediately.
Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
To report burglaries and thefts, contact Police. If it’s happening now, call 111, for any non-urgent incidents, call 105 or make a report online by clicking ‘Make a report’.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre