Seven people have faced court charged over the alleged string of copper thefts in Sydney’s north west.
In September, the NSW Police North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Element to investigate the widespread theft of copper from water meters and copper piping.
Since August, Police have received reports for 154 incidents across Sydney’s north west including Gordon, Pymble, Waitara, Wahroonga, St Ives, and Epping.
Strike Force investigators commenced inquiries after copper tubing was stolen from a construction site on Mowbray Road, Lane Cove, on Tuesday 12 August. Following inquiries, search warrants were executed at home in Thornleigh and Werrington on 9 October.
At Werrington, officers seized cannabis, methamphetamine, a mobile phone and clothing relevant to the investigation.
The occupant a 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
At Thornleigh, officers seized two firearms and a poker machine. The firearms will be forensically examined.
A 43-year-old man was arrested on 10 October after attending Parramatta Police Station. He was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and be in unauthorised possession of approved gaming machine.
They were both granted conditional bail and are next due to appear at Hornsby Local Court today.
At around 2pm on Monday 29 September, a Mazda 3 was seen by officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command on Bowden Street, North Parramatta. The Mazda failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated before the vehicle was abandoned on Brickfield and Isabella Streets, and the two occupants fled, NSW Police said in a statement.
“During a search of the vehicle, officers seized a large amount of copper and water meters. A search warrant was subsequently executed on at a home on Bowden Street where items relevant to the investigation were seized.”
“About 8.30pm on Friday 10 October 2025, investigators attended a home on Bowden Street and following a foot pursuit, a 43-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station,” Police said.
He was charged with 27 offences including three counts of steal property in dwelling-house, eight counts of larceny, eight counts of destroy or damage property, and eight counts of interfere/damage/destroy/disconnect meter w/intent/reckless. The man appeared at Parramatta Local Court, where the matter was referred to Drug Court.
Officers attached to The Hills Proactive Crime Team attended a shopping centre at Box Hill about 7.30am on 23 October, after reports of copper cabling being stolen. Police located a car in the carpark and spoke to the occupants, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman.
The man was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with six counts of larceny, armed with intent commit indictable offence, drive with suspended licence and breach of bail. He appeared before Parramatta Local Court and was granted conditional bail.
“Officers attached to Riverstone Police Area Command attended a construction site on Conferta Avenue, Tallawong, after reports of persons trespassing,” NSW Police said.
Police spoke to a 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman nearby and during a search as number of tools were found in their possession. Inquiries revealed a large, heavy spool pf copper wiring had been moved on the site.”
They were arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station where they were both charged with larceny and enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. She was also charged with possess housebreaking implements and him with breach of bail.
The man appeared at Blacktown Local Court, where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on 15 January 2026. The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on 24 November.
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators stopped a vehicle on Crawford Road, Doonside, about 4.10pm on 7 November, and spoke to the driver, a 40-year-old woman. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized various tools and implements.
The woman was taken to Blacktown Police Station charged with 45 offences, including 19 counts of larceny, 13 counts of destroy or damage property, and 13 counts of interfere/damage/destroy/disconnect meter with intent/reckless. Police will allege the cost of the damage caused as well as the stolen materials to be estimated in excess of $30,000.
The woman appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 8 November, where she was granted conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Element continue.
