Man charged after $3K worth of copper wire stolen from SE Calgary construction sites

A man is facing charges after police recovered thousands of dollars worth of copper wire believed to be taken from construction sites in south Calgary.

Calgary police say officers were called to a construction site on 45 Street SE in the community of Seton around 3:20 a.m. on Feb. 1 after a security guard noticed suspicious activity through CCTV footage.

It is alleged the guard saw a man carrying a cutting tool jump into a trench where copper wire had been installed. The footage confirmed the suspect used a reciprocating saw to cut about 180 feet of copper wire.

Less than an hour later, police were called by a separate security company after a truck was seen driving behind houses under construction in the community of Wolf Willow.

Officers saw a truck leaving a gas station in Chaparral while on the way to Wolf Willow that matched the vehicle description. The responding officers stopped the truck and found a man inside who matched the description of the suspect in the Seton incident, police say.

Officers allegedly found a large amount of copper wire worth around $3,000 and a reciprocating saw in the bed of the truck.

Police have charged 44-year-old Denis Richard Lafleur with several charges including breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, and breaching probation.

He is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

“As our city continues to grow, construction sites remain prime targets for thieves looking to steal tools and materials,” says District 8 Insp. Darry Midtdal in a statement.

Police are out with a number of tips for construction site employees or contractors:

• Keep the job site well-lit to deter thieves
• Secure or close all doors, windows, entrances and vehicles
• Identify on-site personnel and their roles. Question unfamiliar people and document their description, licence plate and vehicle details
• Use temporary fencing to make access difficult and keep high-value items in secure areas
• Enhance security with video monitoring and an alarm system
• Install immobilization devices and use locks on large equipment
• Share contact information with neighbours and encourage them to report any suspicious activity to police
• Schedule deliveries just-in-time to reduce theft opportunities
• Ensure your property is identifiable by recording all tools and materials, including photos, serial numbers and markings
• 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

Anyone with information about break-ins at construction sites is urged to contact police at 403-266-1234, or submit tips through CrimeStoppers anonymously.