A man has been charged following an alleged copper cable theft on the Central Coast, New South Wales. Police allege the man stole copper cables from a telecommunications pit, causing significant disruption to services in the area.
The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, when officers from the Tuggerah Lakes Police District responded to reports of a man acting suspiciously near a Telstra pit on Pacific Highway, Tuggerah. Upon arrival, police allegedly found the man in possession of stolen copper cables and tools commonly used for such thefts.
The 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged with steal copper cable, enter inclosed lands not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and possess housebreaking implements. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Wyong Local Court on August 17, 2026.
Copper cable theft has been a recurring issue in the region, with thieves targeting telecommunications infrastructure for scrap metal. The thefts often lead to service outages for residents and businesses, costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
