Copper wires stolen from wind turbines trigger investigation by Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating after thieves stole copper wires from wind turbines near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border earlier this week.

Members of the Provost, Alta., department confirmed three incidents of damage to wind turbines in the last few days.

The Mounties said the turbines were damaged and copper wires were stolen. The turbines are located north of Hayter, Alta., 295 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

“The RCMP continues to investigate but is issuing this warning,” the RCMP said in a press release.

“If the copper grounding is removed from the structure, any surge in electricity could electrocute anyone within a few feet of the turbine. This poses a danger to turbine workers, officers responding to crimes, and suspects committing crimes.”

Copper wire thefts are becoming more common across Canada.

Three people were arrested on Wednesday morning after they were caught stealing copper wires from an oil rig.

On July 6, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Innisfail announced that it had also launched an investigation after thieves broke down a gate at an oil field site west of Spruce View near Red Deer.

In November 2023, two men from southern Alberta were charged after they were caught “actively stripping cables from a wind turbine in Pincher Creek, Alberta.”

“Copper wire thefts directly impact Alberta’s critical infrastructure and have enormous economic consequences for all Canadians,” the RCMP said in a press release on Wednesday.

“The cost of replacing stolen copper wires is passed on to consumers and in some cases companies lay off employees in the areas where the wires were stolen rather than replace them.”

“Theft of copper wire must be treated as a serious crime in Canada. Theft of copper wire poses a danger not only to the perpetrator but also to the public, so police intervention is necessary.”

The RCMP is asking anyone with information about these crimes to contact them. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.