40-year-old Gladstone man to face court after stealing copper from South Trees Drive business at least 18 times

An alleged copper thief targeted the same South Trees Drive business at least 18 times as more offenders face Gladstone courts on similar charges.

A number of copper thieves are before the courts as one alleged offender stole industrial copper from the same Gladstone business at least 18 times before selling the versatile material.

Investigators from Gladstone Police’s Crime Property Team arrested a 40-year-old South Gladstone man last month following ongoing investigations into copper theft in the region.

Police allege the man attended a South Trees Drive business on 18 occasions between May 2021 and March this year, collecting and selling a large amount of industrial copper.

Two men were arrested last year after being caught red-handed, stealing copper piping from an 84 year old woman’s home in Salisbury, south of Brisbane. Picture: Dean Martin

It is understood the business is a scrap metal facility.

It comes as a duo was allegedly busted throwing $56,000 cash out of speeding car with drugs inside on the Bruce Highway, near Colosseum.

The 40-year-old has been charged with six counts of unlawful possession of suspected stolen property and will front Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 24.

A police spokesman said this was one of the latest alleged offenders charged with similar offences as several people are already before the courts.