The RCMP and the City of Vernon are again asking for the public to be aware of more copper wire theft.
Over the weekend, thieves again targeted the streetlights on the road leading up to The Rise subdivision, making off with some wire before abruptly leaving the area.
“Several metres of wire were stolen from the underground conduit between four of the streetlights,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. “Numerous others were set up by the thieves to steal the wire as well, but it’s not known if they were scared off or what happened.”
Thefts have also occurred in the area of the Tavistock development on Tronson Road and the lights at Marshall Field and Okanagan College.
An attempt to steal the wire was also made recently at the DND grounds.
In December, thieves broke into junction boxes on street lights at The Rise, Tavistock and Marshall Field.
“It’s frustrating because you and I, the taxpayers, are paying for these thefts,” said Molendyk.
“These thefts are adding up to tens of thousands of dollars to the City of Vernon, as it’s an added expense to repair the damage caused by these thieves.”
Police and city officials would like the public to know if they see anyone working around the base of streetlights, and they are not in a marked City of Vernon vehicle, they should call the RCMP right away.
Police believe the thefts are likely happening in the early hours of the morning, under the guise of darkness.
Anybody with any information on the thefts can call the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Tips can also be left on the North Okanagan Shuswap Crime Stoppers Society’s website, www.nokscrimestoppers.com.
