Intuition and patience resulted in Police interrupting an audacious scrap metal theft on the historic Kopu Bridge in Waikato last night.
Two men are now due before the courts, and a car loaded with butchered metal has been seized by Police.
Officers were on a routine patrol along State Highway 25 at Kopu about 6pm on Thursday when they spotted the vehicle and recognised it belonged to an individual with a proclivity for scrap paraphernalia. Sensing something wasn’t right, they stopped to investigate.
Eastern Waikato Area Commander Inspector Mike Henwood says that instinct was immediately rewarded when officers heard loud banging, smashing and crunching from beneath the historic bridge, out over the water.
“You don’t need to be a bridge expert to know those sounds aren’t normal.
“The officers called for backup and found an observation point on the new bridge, where they could see what was happening. Other units blocked off the escape routes and then it became a waiting game.
“After nearly an hour, the offenders gradually worked their way back along the girders and found Police waiting for them.”
Inspector Henwood said a search of the vehicle located numerous items of “scrap” metal, including wiring from under the bridge.
“It wasn’t scrap metal before they got to it, but they’ve smashed through wood on the girders to access the wires and caused a decent amount of carnage.
“This offending is especially frustrating because the damage that’s caused far outweighs the few dollars they would have made if we hadn’t stopped them.”
A 42-year-old Thames man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today, charged with theft and wilful damage. A 56-year-old Thames man is due to appear in the Thames District Court on 17 November on the same charges.
How you can help
If you see people working on power lines, telecommunications cables, roadside cabinets, or substations and something doesn’t seem right, do not intervene.
Note any relevant details from a safe distance and contact Police immediately by calling 111 if it’s happening now, or make a report through 105 after the fact.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
