NAMED: Ipswich man Aleni Galuvao charged for allegedly stealing $10k copper

A Redbank Plains man has faced an Ipswich court for allegedly stealing a huge haul of copper wire worth $10,000 in the latest of a statewide spate of such incidents.

Approximately $10,000 worth of copper cable was stolen in Riverview, Queensland on May 4, 2024. Picture: Queensland Police

A Redbank Plains man faced the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of copper wire.

Aleni Galuvao, 43, allegedly stole about $10,000 of cable from a telecommunications site in Riverview on May 4, the court was told.

The wire was recovered the same day after police investigations.

Ipswich detectives arrested Mr Galuvao on Wednesday, May 15 and charged him with unlawful use of motor vehicles and stealing.

He appeared in court that day.

His next appearance was scheduled for May 27.

About $10,000 worth of copper cable was allegedly stolen in Riverview on May 4, 2024. Picture: Queensland Police

Metal thefts have been increasing across the state in recent years as demand, particularly for copper, skyrocketed because of the switch to electric cars and other zero emissions technologies.

The state government held an inquiry into the scrap metal industry in August last year in an effort to identify extra regulations which could help limit resales of stolen metal.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has yet to provide a final report on the matter.