POLICE are appealing for witnesses after 20 wooden boxes containing special copper rods were stolen from a transport company in Laverton early on Monday morning.
The rods, which were custom-made and specially imported for the aluminium smelter works in Portland, were stolen from the premises on Fitzgerald Rd between midnight and 1am on Monday.
Police believe the rods, which are worth about $500,000, were loaded on to a truck by using a forklift that was on site.
The rods are said to be worthless to anyone but the designated customer. However, the thieves may look to sell them to a scrap metal business for about $80,000, police said.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around Fitzgerald Rd in Laverton early on Monday morning to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
