By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON Police have vowed to crack down on copper wire thefts.
The warning comes in the wake of a spate of copper wire thefts including two at a shipping container construction site in Houdini Drive, Diggers Rest.
Copper pipe and brass fittings valued in excess of $8000 were stolen during the heists.
In a similar incident, copper wiring was stolen from another construction site at the Maplewood Estate in Melton South.
Detective Senior Sergeant Barry Jenks said the offenders spent considerable time at the site and went to approximately 50 individual blocks of land where they cut and stole a one metre length of copper wiring from each.
Det Sen Sgt Jenks said the wiring had been recently installed on each block in preparation for connection or power and, while the total value of the copper is around $200, the cost of replacement and repair work for the developer will be many thousands of dollars.
“Police are currently targeting these types of offenders and potential points of sale of valuable metals,” he told Star.
“It is hoped that by reducing the opportunity for re-sale of stolen metal, it will become less attractive to thieves.
“A similar problem still exists in relation to thefts of water meters and police would like to speak with anyone who may be able to provide information in relation to these types of thefts.”
Meanwhile, police said there has been a significant increase in thefts from motor vehicles in the Melton, Caroline Springs and Hillside in recent weeks.
Det Sen Sgt Jenks said offenders have targeted utilities knowing there is a likelihood of finding tools.
“Offenders are not deterred if the vehicle is parked in a residential driveway so the message to ute owners is that if you can’t lock your vehicle in a garage, ensure all tools are removed and placed somewhere secure overnight.”
He said thefts from other vehicles have also been prominent and generally cars containing property which is in view are often targeted.
“The chances of having your vehicle broken into are significantly reduced if you don’t leave items in it and in full view.”
And last week, a 22-year-old man from Roxburgh Park was found injured in Holland Way, Caroline Springs. The victim suffered a gun-shot wound to the face and was conveyed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Police are yet to establish a motive for the shooting but are certain it was not a random incident and it is likely the parties involved are known to one another. The incident is being investigated by Victoria Police Santiago Task Force.
