Police investigate 'significant' copper theft from two Marton powerlines

Police are investigating the theft of copper wiring worth about $500,000.

The 300m powerline wiring was stolen between 4.15am and 4.30am on Saturday after two wooden power poles were cut down, causing a power outage.

Marton Prevention Sergeant Colin Wright said the power company was alerted to a power outage on Turakina Valley Rd near Christophers Rd.

“Thefts of this nature are extremely inconvenient for not just the power companies, but also the residents affected by the inevitable power outages,” Wright said.

“Further to this, it is also very dangerous to tamper with powerlines and anyone who does so risks seriously injuring themselves or others.

“Three hundred metres of powerlines is not a something that can be easily concealed, we believe there will be someone who has potentially seen another person with the wiring or know where it is.

“I want to remind scrap metal dealers that it is illegal to purchase stolen copper or metal, and while it can sometimes be hard to detect, we urge you to report any suspicious sales or attempted sales to police immediately.”

Inquiries into the theft are ongoing.

Police are appealing for anyone with information or footage to come forward by calling them on 105 and quoting file number 261027/8281.

You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Noam Mānuka Lazarus (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle.