Four arrested after Teralba coal plant break in, charges laid over copper wire theft

Four people have been arrested after allegedly trespassing on a working mine site overnight. Police allege they were after a particular thing.

The Teralba Coal mining site on Powerhouse Road that was broken into. Four people charged.

Four people have been arrested after allegedly trespassing on a working mine site in Lake Macquarie on Monday night

About 11.30pm, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to the Macquarie Coal Preparation Plant on Powerhouse Rd, Teralba after reports an unknown number of persons had entered the area.

Decommissioned in 2016, the plant is in the process of closing down.

A perimeter was established and with the assistance of the Police Dog unit, four people — three men and one woman — were arrested without incident.

Police will allege a large quantity of copper cabling was stolen or in the process of being removed.

Macquarie Coal Preparation Plant where thieves broke into coal mine to steal copper wire - arrests made.

Police allege copper wire was the target of the break-in.

All four were taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with the following offences.

Claude Anthony Giuffre, 41, from Birmingham Gardens was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit between 2.30am and 3am Tuesday morning at Teralba, and other outstanding warrants.

Bradley Peter Bernard. 54, from Teralba and Samantha Jane Bernard, 27, from Belmont North were both charged with two counts of unlawful entry on inclosed lands without lawful excuse, the first time between 3.30am and 6.20am Monday morning at Teralba, the second time between 11pm Monday night and 1.30am Tuesday morning at Teralba.

The coal plant where thieves broke into to steal copper wire, four people were charged.

They’re also facing larceny charges and destroy/damage mine equipment.

And Matthew James Sharp, 40, from Cardiff was charged with enter inclosed land without lawful excuse between 11pm and 1.20am Tuesday morning at Teralba.

He’s also facing larceny and destroy/damage mine equipment.

All four were refused bail to face Toronto Local Court Tuesday next week.

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