Timothy Smith charged in connection with theft of copper cable
Police find burning copper cable and stolen cars at arrest site
Timothy Smith of Calgary is facing multiple charges in connection with theft of copper wire in northeast Calgary
Calgary Police have arrested 41-year old Timothy Jason Smith in connection with a theft of copper cable in northeast Calgary in early July.
Just after 4:30 a.m., on July 5, approximately 170 metres of Telus communications cable was stolen from a site in Calgary. The theft of the cable caused a threat to public safety as landline service, including 9-1-1 was cut off to over 400 customers in the area.
Calgary Police believe the culprits fled the scene through a farm field and were dragging the cable behind a 4×4 ATV.
When police arrived at the scene shortly after, they quickly tracked where the allegedly stolen cable was taken. Copper cable was found being burned in a large bonfire, in what appeared to be an effort to remove the casing from around the wire.
One man, Timothy Smith, of Calgary, was found at the scene and arrested. Timothy Jason Smith has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and possession of outside stolen property under $5,000.
While police were at the scene of the copper cable bonfire, they found several vehicles that were identified as being stolen on the property surrounding the burn site.
Charges have yet to be laid in connection with the stolen vehicles. Calgary Police are continuing to investigate and more charges may be pending.
Calgary Police have made copper wire theft a priority as the thefts can create critical safety issues for the community and for first responders. Also, the economic impacts to critical infrastructure can be significant.
Anyone with information on the theft of copper is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously, using any of the following methods: TALK: 1-800-222-8477 TYPE: tttTIPS.com TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637
Calgary Police remind citizens that anyone witnessing suspicious activity that could indicate copper wire theft in progress should call 911.
Category: Calgary
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