Dale Russell Suhr, 40, pleads guilty to one charge of stealing copper wire from job site

A delivery driver busted on CCTV stealing construction items from a business told police he thought the stolen items were ‘rubbish’.

A Southern Downs delivery driver busted on CCTV stealing construction items from a local business told police he thought the stolen items were “rubbish”.

Dale Russell Suhr, 40, pleaded guilty to stealing copper wiring from a Southern Downs business last month.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul Condon said Suhr was delivering furniture to a business on July 9 at Swanfels, east of Warwick.

“He has noticed copper wire at the business, and taken it and put it in his truck,” the prosecutor said.

The brazen act was caught on CCTV, with the business quickly contacting police who caught up with the father of two.

Dale Russell Suhr plead guilty to one charge of stealing on August 12, 2024. (Photo: File)

“He made admissions and told police he took it because he thought it was rubbish,” Sergeant Condon said. The court was told the wire was later recovered.

Sergeant Condon also said Suhr had two pages of criminal history.

Defence lawyer Sarah Campbell said her client was a contributing member of society as a full-time truck driver and was embarrassed to appear in court.

Ms Campbell said the man also had the intention of selling the wire.

Magistrate Janice Crawford labelled the offending as “opportunistic” and said Suhr was of good character, with no criminal history since 2016.

“This is an offence of dishonesty and I am satisfied the offending was opportunistic and accept you are remorseful and embarrassed,” Ms Crawford said.

Ms Crawford ordered no restitution to be paid as the wiring was recovered.

Suhr was fined $500 with no convictions recorded.