Police seize 360 kilograms of copper wire stolen from southern Alberta oil and gas sites

Three men face charges in connection with the theft of a "substantial amount" of copper wire from southern Alberta oil and gas sites after a two-month RCMP investigation.

RCMP said more than 360 kilograms (about 800 pounds) of stolen copper was discovered at a northwest Calgary home after a search warrant was executed. Police also seized a stolen quad and an oilsite breathing apparatus.

The stolenwire was being sold to localmetal recycling businesses, according to the southern Alberta crime reduction unit.

In February, a scrap metal dealer estimated copper wire was being sold for about $3.20 per pound.

Copper thieves put themselves and others in danger, often stealing from places such as electrical lines and communications systems.

Adam Reginald Spare, 55, David Gregory Mitchell, 33, and Travis William Kowalchuk, 31, are each charged with:

• Trafficking stolen property over $5,000.
• Possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking.
• Possession of property obtained by crime.

Mitchell is also charged withsix counts of breaking and entering to commit theft while Spare is facing five and Kowalchuk one count.

All three have been released on bail and are toappear in court in July.