RIVERVIEW, N.B. – Codiac RCMP are looking for clues related to a string of copper wire thefts from power and telephone lines around the Greater Moncton Area.
There have been five reported incidents since Feb. 9. Police won’t say why it was stolen, although copper can be sold for scrap.
“We are asking the public to report any suspicious activity around power stations or poles and to report any suspicious vehicles with no specific markings around these areas,” said Sgt. Aurele Pelletier.
“We also want to remind the public that copper theft is an extraordinarily dangerous crime as one can seriously injured or killed doing so.”
Bell Aliant said about 500 hundred customers were impacted by the thefts, including Riverview Town Hall, which lost telephone service on Monday. By Wednesday, it had been reactivated.
Meghan Walsh, the town’s communications co-ordinator, said it was especially bad timing for them.
“At this time of year, we had just introduced a new billing cycle for water and sewer payments,” she said. “We do get a number of phone calls sent through our main phone line here at town hall.”
Terry Winarchuk’s business, Futura Signs and Designs, also went dark from Monday to Tuesday.
He said losing their telephone service was problematic for him and his customers.
“They come in to pick up their signs and they go away with them, and we have to chase them down later on or they have to mail out cheques or make a second visit, which is an inconvenience for them,” he said, noting it was a relief to get his service back.
RCMP are asking anyone with information about the thefts to contact Crime Stoppers.
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