Police Arrest Two Men After 239kg Copper Heist at Ipswich Centre
Police have arrested two Redbank Plains men, aged 42 and 46, over the theft of 239 kilograms of copper wire from Town Square Redbank Plains in Ipswich. Detectives say security gear was sabotaged over nine days and more people may be involved.
Police arrested two men from Redbank Plains, aged 42 and 46, over the theft of 239 kilograms of copper wire from the Town Square Redbank Plains shopping centre in Ipswich, officers said on November 13. One of the men was found trying to hide in a clothes closet.
Detective Inspector Mick Manago said the centre's security equipment was sabotaged over nine days in a "coordinated" attack. Police say others may have been involved.
How the theft unfolded
Manago said that around 11pm on November 1, CCTV captured a masked man deliberately damaging a security camera at the site before leaving.
On November 5, offenders allegedly cut through perimeter fencing and forced a door open with a crowbar. An inspection on November 9 found extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, including a severed main earthing cable and additional wiring.
The theft caused most of the centre's shops to lose power on Tuesday. Businesses closed and food spoiled.
Charges and court dates
The 42-year-old man faces two counts of possessing tainted property and fraud. He is also charged with entering premises to commit an indictable offence, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of having been used in a drug offence, and possessing utensils.
He was remanded in custody. He is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on December 2.
The 46-year-old was arrested after trying to hide in the closet. He is charged with three counts of possessing tainted property, two counts of fraud, entering premises to commit an indictable offence, and possessing utensils.
He was also remanded in custody and is due in the same court on January 8.
Police appeal for witnesses
Manago said investigators are looking at whether other people were involved. "There was some planning, which is quite concerning for us," he said.
He said removing that much copper cabling would probably have needed a vehicle. Police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time and saw suspicious vehicles to come forward.
"There is every chance that further persons will need to be held to account for what's occurred," Manago said.
He said the damage reaches well beyond the value of the metal. Businesses face costly repairs and lost trading, he said.
"The theft of copper is not a victim less crime," Manago said.
