Man charged over copper theft at Grafton substation, Kāhui St David’s 1905 pipe organ among widespread damage
A 42-year-old man has been charged with burglary and intentional damage after allegedly stealing copper from an Auckland substation while disguised as a worker. The theft caused significant power surges, damaging electrical equipment in nearby apartments and a historic charitable trust.
Why it matters
Copper theft from critical infrastructure poses significant safety risks and high financial costs to local communities and property owners.
A man has been charged after he allegedly posed as a high-vis-wearing worker and stole copper from an inner-city Auckland substation, resulting in costly repair bills for nearby dwellings.
Police say a 42-year-old will appear in court charged with burgling a Vector-owned substation on Madeira Lane, Grafton on Saturday.
The incident cut power outage and left apartment residents and a historic charitable trust dealing with extensive electrical damage.
Auckland City CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said the man allegedly targeted copper casings from the substation, which powers an apartment complex.
“While committing his offending the man allegedly created tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.”
“Offenders that think a high-vis vest is a good disguise should think again, we’re well aware of the tactic and this doesn’t work.”
The man has been summonsed to Auckland District Court on October 12 charged with burglary and intentional damage.
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