David Rawlinson and Levi Stead charged over copper and fibre optic cables heist spree

Two men allegedly stole more than $400k worth of copper and fibre optics cabling during an alleged string of heists on Telstra and NBN Co sites.

David Rawlinson, 45, and Levi Stead, 38 have been charged with stealing hundreds of thousands worth of copper cabling in an alleged string of heists on Telstra sites.

Two men are accused of stealing more than $400k worth of copper and fibre optics cabling during an alleged string of heists on Telstra and NBN Co sites.

Co-accused David Rawlinson, 45, and Levi Stead, 38, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged over the string of thefts.

According to documents tendered to the court, the men are accused of stealing more than $400,000 worth of copper and fibre optics while in company or alone between December 2023 and February this year.

Police allege David Rawlinson and Levi Stead stole copper and optic fibre cabling from several sites across Central Victoria.

Police allege Levi Stead, of Wallan, ripped off about 1300m of copper cabling from Telstra at Heathcote, valued at $172,000 along with $2000 worth of fibre optic cabling belonging to NBN Co in December last year.

Police allege Mr Rawlinson illegally damaged property at Kangaroo Flat and ripped out $38,446 worth of fibre optic cable belonging to NBN Co in December 2023 along with 100m of copper cabling belonging to Telstra.

Mr Stead is also charged with stealing $3000 worth of fibre optic cabling and $21,756 of copper cabling from Kangaroo Flat in December and also stealing $3593 worth of copper wiring from Seymour.

David Rawlinson and Levi Stead have been charged with multiple thefts.

Police allege the co-accused were together when they allegedly stole 80m of copper cabling valued at $8,500 in Castlemaine, 40m of copper cabling worth $13,783 from Yea and 50m from Broadford valued at $21,842 in December.

Police allege Mr Rawlinson and Mr Stead’s string of heists continued in January when they stole 180m of copper cabling from Kinglake West valued at $23,000.

In February the two allegedly hit Shepparton on the same date where Stead is charged with stealing 300m of copper wiring worth $65,000 and Rawlinson is charged with stealing $32,763.

Police spotted and tried to catch Mr Stead on December 23 last year at Seymour and again on February 9 at Lilydale, but he allegedly refused to pull his car over and allegedly fled police.

Mr Stead is further charged with allegedly stealing 100m of copper worth $20,000 from another Telstra site and a $40,000 generator trailer Numurkah belonging to Tatura business GV Generators in March.

The defence raised issues with the police case that identified Mr Stead and Mr Rawlinson at the scenes of the alleged thefts.

Mr Stead was charged by Western Region Crime Squad detectives in April, with Mr Rawlinson being charged in May.

The court heard accused thieves were contesting the police case identifying them at the scene of the alleged thefts and the amount of copper allegedly stolen.

The court heard the co-accused had offered to plead guilty to some charges if others were withdrawn, which was “flatly” refused by the DPP.

The DPP told the court that the prosecution intended for all charges to proceed, with instructions not to accept a plea deal that required charges to be withdrawn.

A Telstra employee is set to be cross examined over the amount and value of copper that was allegedly ripped off.

The co-accused remain on bail ahead of their next court appearances.