Image: OPP Cruiser
Grey Bruce OPP say two people are facing charges in connection to telecommunication wire thefts across southwestern Ontario.
Police say throughout 2025, the theft of telecommunication wires had been happening in the Grey Bruce, Wellington and Dufferin OPP detachment areas where the suspects were cutting poles and wire, taking the wire and stripping it for copper before selling it to scrap yards.
Each incident police say, results in between $5,000 to $10,000 in damage and disrupts 911 service until repairs can be made.
On Jan. 7, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle north or Wiarton. When officers arrived on the scene, police say they discovered a utility pole had been partially cut and the suspects left the scene.
The compliant provided to officers, however, included detailed descriptions and photos of the suspects and their vehicles.
Later that same day, officers responded to a car stuck on Highway 6 south of Chatsworth.
Police say the officers on the scene found the people from the stuck vehicle were responsible for the earlier damage to the pole and arrested and charged them both before they were released.
The next day, police say an investigation revealed one of the suspects provided false information to the officers.
Police later located the two suspects operating a stolen snowmobile and were arrested.
As a result, police charged a 26-year-old from Chatsworth with mischief over $5,000, mischief endangering life, operation of a vehicle while prohibited, and failing to comply with a release order.
The other suspect, a 35-year-old from Milton, was charged with mischief over $5,000, mischief endangering life, obstructing a peace officer, and personation with intent.
The suspects were held for a bail hearing on Jan. 9 in Owen Sound, with the one from Chatsworth being remanded into custody, and the other released.
Both were given future court dates.
“The OPP continues to work with partner agencies to address ongoing wire thefts and protect critical infrastructure,” says Grey Bruce OPP in a release.
Anyone with information on these incidents are asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.