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Copper wire thefts ongoing

Tuesday, Jul 10, 2012 03:00 am | Johnnie Bachusky

Copper wire theft remains an ongoing problem for oil field companies and law enforcement agencies in the rural regions of Central Alberta.

Didsbury RCMP report that sometime during the evening of June 16 and early morning hours of June 17 a thief or thieves cut the locks of a gate to a secluded rural battery site for an oil and gas operation that was located in the Elkton area. The culprit or culprits then stole 400 ft. of copper wire grounding cables.

“This is related to the extensive copper wire thefts experienced in Central Alberta,” said Didsbury RCMP Cpl. Warren Wright. “These copper wire thefts are ongoing. It happens everywhere. It has been going on for years.”

Wright emphasized that the problem is not just local but widespread regionally and provincially.

He said thieves will steal the copper wire and melt it down and have it converted to cash.

“It is a crime of opportunity,” said Wright. “And it is dangerous. You could be tampering with unsafe equipment and that would be compromising the safety of the public.”

If anyone has information on the copper wire theft he or she is asked to contact Didsbury RCMP at 403-335-3382.

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