Police say four men are facing charges after copper wires were stolen off 33 hydro poles that were cut down in a rural area of Ontario.
The Ontario Provincial Police said the copper theft occurred over a nearly week-long period, from May 1 to May 7, on Silverfields Road in Coleman Township — about 200 km northeast of Sudbury, Ont.
Investigators said the theft happened in a remote area along the road connecting the Town of Cobalt and the Hound Chute Hydro Generating Station. It is estimated the value of the theft is around $100,000.
Following a police investigation involving several agencies, four men were arrested.
The men — aged 34 to 51 — are collectively facing several charges including theft, mischief, trafficking stolen goods and possession of stolen goods for the purpose of trafficking.
The accused were released and have a court date later in the year, police said.
Meanwhile, in May, police in Durham Region issued a warning about copper thefts happening from air conditioners and heat pump units in Oshawa. Police said they had received 22 reported incidents since the beginning of the year.