Townsville copper thefts: Police bust in Operation Whiskey Biome

Townsville police have made a breakthrough in the war against copper theft, capturing a masked man on a darkened shopping centre roof. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Townsville police have made a breakthrough in the raging war against copper thefts, capturing a masked man in the act in a darkened construction site in a shopping centre on Sunday night.

The Queensland Police Service have charged a 50-year-old man with multiple offences as part of Operation Whiskey Biome.

A QPS spokeswoman said it would be alleged that two men entered the construction site in Woodlands Village Shopping Centre on Palm Drive in Deeragun and “attempted to steal copper”.

She said police responded quickly and were able to find and arrest the masked Deeragun man on the roof of the building.

He was charged with four offences, including entering a premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, wearing a mask with intent to commit an indictable offence and a drug offence.

“The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.”

Under Operation Whiskey Biome, Townsville Property Crime Unit is working with government agencies and businesses to investigate copper theft and target thieves.

A frame grab from a video supplied by Townsville Police showing a copper thief caught red-handed atop Woodlands Village Shopping Centre on Palm Drive in Deeragun on Sunday night. Picture: Supplied

Townsville police say that in the first six weeks of 2025 alone, more than a ton of copper totalling almost $900,000 has been stolen from Townsville businesses alone.

The Townsville Bulletin also reported earlier this month that a series of copper thefts in the Burdekin had left swathes of the Bruce Highway without street lighting.

Acting Inspector Chris Caswell confirmed on Wednesday that police had received two reports of copper theft from Transport and Main Roads in the Burdekin in January this year.

He said copper theft was also reported at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Five Ways Road, Brandon, later that same month.

He said copper crime cost government agencies and businesses tens of thousands of dollars each year, “especially when offenders are damaging property to steal the wires, pipes and fixtures”.

“Metals stolen from utilities can cause an increase in end-user costs, impact productivity, cause a direct impact on individuals in the community, and result in serious injury and death to thieves and innocent people.”

He said the thefts of copper cables were “a serious and dangerous offence”.

“It is illegal to unlawfully remove copper wire, and those who do so are not only risking their lives but those within surrounding homes and businesses by reducing the grid’s earth safety capabilities,” he said.

“Interfering with any electrical equipment can result in significant burns, disfiguring injuries and electrocution.”

Acting Inspector Caswell said police were working with local and government agencies to investigate “every report of copper theft”.

“If you see suspicious activity including items being removed outside of business hours from construction sites, community venues, and council and government utility sites like power substations and metre boxes, call the police,” he said.

“The theft of copper cable is a state-wide issue and taken very seriously by Queensland Police and we investigate all complaints to find the offenders and put them before the courts, which includes those people who knowingly receive stolen property.”

Originally published as Townsville copper thefts: Police bust in Operation Whiskey Biome