A rash of copper wire and pipe thefts in the Coquitlam area over the last couple of months has police calling on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The latest theft took place at Dewdney Trunk Road and Hoy Street late Sunday night or early Monday morning, when copper wire was pulled from two street lamps. The incident is similar to a theft last week, when wire and conductors were stolen from street lights along United Boulevard.
In total, seven incidents of wire and pipe theft have taken place in the Tri-Cities since the beginning of February, hitting everything from abandoned houses to street lamps.
"The patterns can happen here or there at anytime," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung. "I don't believe patrol is the only solution to it. People might need to be more vigilant when they see a suspicious person hanging around a lamp post."
One woman was arrested last week when police found her in the United Boulevard area with copper wire nearby. Coquitlam RCMP said criminal charges are pending but have not yet been laid and the suspect was released on a promise to appear.
Chung said that when wiring is cut and stolen, there is significant risk of electrocution to the thief. It also places neighbourhoods in danger, he added, because of the loss of telephone and electricity.
Anyone who has any information about these metal thefts or any other thefts should call 604-945-155. Those who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.solvecrime.ca.
LATEST THEFTS
Feb. 4 - underground copper wire stolen near Lougheed Highway and United Boulevard;
Feb. 29 - copper wire stolen from a construction site in 900-block of Kelvin Street;
March 1 - wire and conductors stolen from 200-block of United Boulevard;
March 2 and 5 - copper pipes stolen from abandoned houses on Clark Road;
March 5 - copper pipes stolen from an apartment building on Glen Drive;
March 5 - attempted theft of copper wire from an electrical box at Mariner Way and Cape Horn Avenue;
March 11 - wire stolen from lamp posts at Dewdney Trunk Road and Hoy Street.
