Seven people have faced court charged over the alleged string of copper thefts in Sydney's north west.
In September 2025, North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Element to investigate the widespread theft of copper from water meters and copper piping.
Since August 2025, police have received reports for 154 incidents across Sydney's north west including Gordon, Pymble, Waitara, Wahroonga, St Ives, and Epping.
Strike Force investigators commenced inquiries after copper tubing was stolen from a construction site on Mowbray Road, Lane Cove, on Tuesday 12 August 2025.
Following inquiries, search warrants were executed at home in Thornleigh and Werrington on Thursday 9 October 2025.
At Werrington, officers seized cannabis, methamphetamine, a mobile phone and clothing relevant to the investigation.
The occupant a 54-year-old man was arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
At Thornleigh, officers seized two firearms and a poker machine. The firearms will be forensically examined.
A 43-year-old man was arrested on Friday 10 October 2025 after attending Parramatta Police Station. He was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and be in unauthorised possession of approved gaming machine.
They were both granted conditional bail and are next due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
Officers attached to The Hills Proactive Crime Team attended a shopping centre at Box Hill about 7.30am on Thursday 23 October 2025, after reports of copper cabling being stolen.
Police located a car in the carpark and spoke to the occupants, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.
The man was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with six counts of larceny, armed with intent commit indictable offence, drive with suspended licence and breach of bail.
He appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Friday 24 October 2025 where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Thursday 13 November 2025.
Officers attached to Riverstone Police Area Command attended a construction site on Conferta Avenue, Tallawong, after reports of persons trespassing.
Police spoke to a 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman nearby and during a search as number of tools were found in their possession. Inquiries revealed a large, heavy spool pf copper wiring had been moved on the site.
They were arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station where they were both charged with larceny and enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. She was also charged with possess housebreaking implements and him with breach of bail.
The man appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 30 August 2025 where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Thursday 15 January 2026. The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Monday 24 November 2025.
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators stopped a vehicle on Crawford Road, Doonside, about 4.10pm on Friday 7 November 2025, and spoke to the driver, a 40-year-old woman.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized various tools and implements.
The woman was taken to Blacktown Police Station charged with 45 offences,
- 19 counts of larceny
- 13 counts of destroy or damage property, and
- 13 counts of interfere/damage/destroy/disconnect meter with intent/reckless.
Police will allege the cost of the damage caused as well as the stolen materials to be estimated in excess of $30,000.
The woman appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 8 November 2025 where she was granted conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
Investigations under Strike Force Element continue.
