The Calgary police have charged a man with copper theft, and are trying to raise awareness of some basic security practices which can prevent similar thefts on other worksites.
According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), at about 3:20 a.m., on Saturday, Feb. 1, a private security company monitoring a new home construction site in the community of Seton was alerted to unauthorized activity in the 19800 block of 45th Street S.E. Through CCTV footage, a security guard observed a man carrying a cutting tool and jumping into an open trench where copper wire had been installed. The guard promptly called 911 to report the incident.
Less than an hour after the 911 call from the Seton site, a private security company monitoring a construction site in the community of Wolf Willow observed a truck driving behind houses under construction in the 700 block of Wolf Willow Boulevard S.E. The security guard called 911 to report the suspicious activity.
While en route to Wolf Willow, officers observed a truck leaving a gas station in the community of Chaparral that matched the vehicle descriptions provided by the security personnel. The officers proceeded to conduct a traffic stop of the truck, where they identified a man matching the suspect description provided by security from the Seton site and observed a large volume of copper wire and a reciprocating saw in the truck bed.
CCTV footage from the Seton site confirmed that the man had used a reciprocating saw to cut about 180 feet of installed copper wire, valued at approximately $3,000.
As a result of the investigation, Denis Richard LAFLEUR, 44, has been charged with:
- One count of break and enter and commit theft
- One count of possession of locally stolen property under $5,000
- Two counts of failing to company with a release order
- Two counts of breach of probation
"This case highlights the importance of promptly reporting incidents to ensure timely investigations, prevent further harm and increase the chances of recovering stolen property," says District 8 Inspector Darry Midtdal. “As our city continues to grow, construction sites remain prime targets for thieves looking to steal tools and materials. While we have dedicated numerous resources to investigate and prevent these offences, we also rely on the public's help to reduce these crimes of opportunity by reporting incidents and following our crime prevention tips.”
If you’re a construction site employee or contractor, secure your site and protect your property by nailing down these break-and-enter and theft prevention tips.
- Light It: Keep the job site well-lit to deter thieves.
- Lock It: Secure or close all doors, windows, entrances and vehicles.
- Know Your Site: Identify on-site personnel and their roles. Question unfamiliar people and document their description, licence plate and vehicle details.
- Secure Your Perimeter: Use temporary fencing to make access difficult and keep high-value items in secure areas.
- Use Alarms and Video Monitoring: Enhance security with video monitoring and an alarm system.
- Immobilize: Install immobilization devices and use locks on large equipment.
- Be on the Lookout: Share contact information with neighbours and encourage them to report any suspicious activity to police.
- Plan Material Deliveries: Schedule deliveries just-in-time to reduce theft opportunities.
- Track Your Tools and Materials: Ensure your property is identifiable by recording all tools and materials, including photos, serial numbers and markings.
- Report It: Call 911 if you witness suspicious activity or a crime in progress. For non-emergencies, call 403-266-1234 or file an online report. Prompt reporting helps police address ongoing issues and increases the likelihood of recovering stolen property
