Four individuals charged with copper wire theft at Edmonton rail yard, estimated at $10,000

City police in Edmonton have recently arrested three men in connection with a series of copper wire thefts totaling nearly $10,000 from a rail yard in the north-central area of the city. Between September and November, officers responded to multiple break-ins at the Canadian National Railway storage yard on 127 Avenue at 121 Street. Thieves were reportedly cutting through fencing at the yard to steal loads of copper wire. The arrests were made following the identification of multiple suspects, with an arrest warrant issued for a fourth man involved in the thefts.

One of the arrested individuals, Michael James Roberts, 50, is facing six charges of break and enter related to the thefts. In addition to these charges, Roberts had six outstanding warrants for various offenses including break and enter with intent to commit, possess break-in instruments, and failure to comply with probation orders. Another man, Mark Gerald Johnston, 37, was charged with six counts of break and enter and breach of a conditional sentence order. Shane Michael Manning, 38, faces charges of breach of a release order, utter forged document, and obstructing a police officer. The suspect still at large, Charles Taggart Patterson, 33, is wanted on an arrest warrant for break and enter.

Acting Detective Tyrone O’Dea of the west branch investigative response team emphasized the ongoing issue of copper wire theft in Edmonton and the disruption it causes to infrastructure projects in the city. The destructive nature of these thefts poses a significant problem and requires the cooperation of the community to combat. The Edmonton police urge anyone with information about this case or other similar incidents to come forward and contact them at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. The theft of copper wire can lead to serious consequences that affect not only businesses but also the community as a whole.

The thefts at the rail yard in north-central Edmonton highlight the prevalence of copper wire theft in the city, with criminals targeting valuable materials for financial gain. The repeated incidents of break-ins and theft of copper wire over a three-month period indicate a coordinated effort by the suspects involved. The arrests made in connection with the thefts demonstrate the commitment of city police to address these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable. With an additional suspect still at large, law enforcement continues to investigate the case and bring all individuals responsible to justice.

The charges filed against the arrested individuals, including break and enter, possession of break-in instruments, and failure to comply with court orders, reflect the seriousness of their actions. Copper wire theft is not only a financial loss for businesses but also poses a risk to ongoing infrastructure projects within Edmonton. The disruptive nature of these thefts can delay important construction and maintenance work, impacting the city and its residents. It is crucial for law enforcement and the community to work together to prevent such crimes and ensure the safety and security of the city and its resources.

As the investigation into the copper wire thefts continues, the Edmonton police issue an appeal to the public for assistance in locating the fourth suspect, Charles Taggart Patterson. By providing information or tips related to this case, community members can play a crucial role in helping law enforcement apprehend the remaining individual involved in the thefts. Copper wire theft remains an ongoing issue in Edmonton, and collaboration between authorities and the community is essential in combating such crimes and maintaining the integrity of the city’s infrastructure and resources.