Police charge two over copper theft in Rutherford

Two men will face court today, charged over their alleged involvement in the theft of copper from a business in the state’s Hunter overnight.

About 2.20am (Friday 11 November 2022), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a business on Kyle Street at Rutherford after reports of trespass.

Upon arrival two men, aged 44 and 51, were located by police in a nearby car.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized copper wire – both stripped and unstripped – prohibited weapons, and amount of cannabis.

Both were arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

The younger man has been charged with enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

The older man has been charged with enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess prohibited drug, and larceny.

Both were refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court today, where they were granted conditional bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 21 December 2022.

/Public Release. View in full here.