Detectives targeting copper theft across North Brisbane and the Moreton Bay area have released vision of their ongoing Operation, Victor Surface, to encourage members of the public to provide information and report similar offences to police.
It will be alleged on August 4, police executed a search warrant at a Kinsellas Road property in Mango Hill where they located a large amount of allegedly stolen copper wire.
It will be further alleged while searching a shed on the property, police located tools, a firearm and number plates.
A 47-year-old Mango Hill man was taken into police custody and charged with two counts each of stealing (copper), receiving tainted property (copper and tools) and possession of dangerous drug (cannabis and diazepam).
He was also charged with one count each of possession of a Category A weapon (rifle), possession of explosive (ammunition), possession of utensil (pipe and scales) and three counts of stealing (registration plates).
He is due to reappear at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on September 15.
Officers executed search warrants at addresses in Camira and South Brisbane on August 12 and 15, locating alleged stripped insulation and documents indicating more than 1.9 tonnes of copper wire had been on-sold to metal recyclers over a six-week period.
A 39-year-old Camira man has been charged with 18 offences including entering premises and committing an indictable offence, fraud, stealing, possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils and traffic matters.
He has been remanded in police custody to reappear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 16.
A 38-year old Karalee man was charged with four counts of entering a premises and committing an indicatable offence, possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils and driving offences.
He has been remanded in police custody to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 15.
A 35-year-old South Brisbane man was charged with six counts of entering a premises to commit an indictable offence, stealing and fraud.
He appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday, August 28.
It will be alleged that the suspects identified in Operation Victor Surface are responsible for more than $320,000 in damage and have caused significant delays in infrastructure projects across the greater Brisbane region.
The theft of copper wire and other metal exposes thieves, legitimate workers and the wider community to significant risk of serious injury or death.
Police are appealing for anyone with information about copper thefts to come forward.
Don't stay static - if it looks out of place, report it. Every scrap of information counts.
View the Business Security Audit and Home Security Audit for more.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
