Man charged following alleged copper theft from substation – Newcastle

A man will appear in court today charged following an investigation into a break and enter at an electrical substation in Wallsend last month.

About 1.20am on Monday 18 September 2023, a substation on Abbott Street, Wallsend, was allegedly broken into.

Police have been told that copper cabling, a ute, trailer, and a large number of power tools were allegedly stolen, with an estimated value of $150,000.

A short time later, the ute was found burnt-out at Redhead Beach.

Police from the Newcastle City Police District Proactive Crime Team commenced inquiries into the incident.

Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a Marks Point address about 1.45pm on Tuesday 3 October 2023.

Police will allege in court that upon arrival, a man was located in the driveway of the premises stripping copper cabling.

A subsequent search of the property revealed a large quantity of tools alleged to have been stolen from the Abbott Street substation.

A 38-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, receive property – theft, enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, larceny, and destroy or damage property.

He first appeared before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 4 October 2023, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 12 October 2023).

/Public Release. View in full here.