Police arrest two individuals in relation to copper wire thefts

Release Date: September 19, 2023

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Kingston Police have been aware of a high volume of thefts and mischief to Bell Canada property, specifically copper internet cable affixed to telephone poles. These incidents have resulted in thousands of dollars in damages and repair costs, and further affected local businesses and persons working from home with large scale internet outages.

On September 17, 2023, at approximately 3:45 a.m. members of the Kingston Police General Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop on a truck travelling in the area of Perth Road and McAdoo’s Lane.

Upon speaking with the driver of the truck, the keen-eyed officers observed a large number of tools scattered throughout the interior and rear of the truck. Officers were aware that the type of tools observed were consistent with tools that are used by individuals while committing wire or metal thefts.

Furthermore, officers observed fresh footprints and scuff marks on the hood of the truck. The officers were also aware that individuals engaged in these types of criminal behaviour often used the hood of their vehicles as a platform to stand on in order to commit these specific acts.

Further grounds were formed to arrest the driver of the truck and officers ultimately took them into custody for being in possession of break-in instruments. During the course of the subsequent investigation, the officers also located a bicycle in the rear of the truck which had previously been reported as stolen.

Additional officers attended to assist and canvass the area for potential locations where a theft may have occurred. These officers located a vehicle stopped on the side of the road less than a kilometer away from the truck in question.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed a lone occupant inside. Upon speaking to this individual, officers observed the rear of the vehicle was full of cased copper wire. The occupant of the vehicle was subsequently placed under arrest. A further search of the vehicle revealed several power tools used in the offence.

Police, after searching the area, further discovered that approximately 100 metres of wire had been cut and dropped from telephone poles a short distance away on Perth Road.

Both accused individuals were subsequently transported to Kingston Police headquarters and held for a bail hearing.

A 31-year-old individual, along with a 32-year-old individual, both of Kingston, were charged with possession of property obtained by crime not exceeding $5000, mischief to property exceeding $5000, possession of break-in instruments and theft not exceeding $5000.