Two men have been charged following an alleged copper theft incident near Newcastle early this morning.
About 1.50am (Thursday 26 February 2026), Newcastle City Police were conducting proactive patrols of landslip-affected homes on Victora Street, New Lambton, when they observed a running vehicle parked in the middle of the road.
Upon sighting police, three men allegedly ran from the vehicle.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle and surrounding area, police allegedly located various tools and a large amount of copper wire.
Police conducted a canvass of the area, where they located an open telecommunications pit, believed to be where the copper wire originated.
Police arrested two men – aged 21 and 42 – a short time later, and they were taken to Waratah Police Station.
Both men were charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), and breach of bail.
They were both refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today, where they were granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 5 March 2026.
Inquiries are continuing to locate a third man.
