Two Queensland men will face Ipswich court next month charged over the theft of copper wiring from the Logan Motorway.
Queensland Police say they charged the two men after they discovered the theft of wiring from an electrical light box on the motorway, at Ellen Grove, on Tuesday night (October 7).
VIDEO: Watch police footage of the Ellen Grove discovery.
The police will allege in court that around 10.30pm, the two men were seen on camera using tools to cut wire cables from the electrical box on the westbound lanes of the highway, adjacent to the Centenary Motorway.
When police arrived, they say they found one man lying on his stomach with his hands inside the box. He was arrested and taken into custody.
A second man fled on foot, police will allege in court, but he was found nearby after he was tracked down by a police dog and taken into custody.
Police will say they found tools, a pair of gloves and a tool bag at the scene. The damage caused a temporary power blackout in the area.
A 45-year-old Inala man is charged with (one count each) of: wilful damage, stealing, unlawful interference with the supply of electricity, possess by night instrument of house breaking, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils.
He has been bailed to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 6.
A 43-year-old Redbank Plains man was charged with one count each of wilful damage, stealing, unlawful interference with supply of electricity and possess by night instrument of house breaking.
He was bailed to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 13.
ABOUT COPPER THEFT
Police say that copper theft is a significant threat to the public and to the operations of vital infrastructure like telecommunications, power and public transport.
They are asking the public to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity such as people removing items from locations such as construction sites, sporting fields, rail corridors, road construction areas, energy and water supplies and community venues.
Other signs include discarded cable insulation and open access to utilities.
You can report via Policelink online 24 hours a day, call 131 444, or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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