Man charged with stealing copper wire from Seton construction site​on February 11, 2025 at 11:19 pm

A man caught with around $3,000 worth of stolen copper wire from a Seton construction site in Calgary is facing several charges, police say.

Around 3:20 a.m. on Feb. 1, a private security company was alerted to “unauthorized activity” in the 19800 block of 45th Street S.E. — a new home construction site.

Through CCTV footage a security guard observed a man “carrying a cutting tool and jumping into an open trench where copper wire had been installed,” according to a news release from CPS.

The security guard called 911 to report the incident.

Less than an hour later, another private security company observed a truck driving behind houses under construction in the 700 block of Wolf Willow Boulevard S.E.

The security guard reported it to 911 and while enroute to Wolf Willow, police observed a truck leaving a gas station in Chaparral that matched the description from both incidents.

A search of the truck revealed about 55 metres of copper wire and a reciprocating saw.

Denis Richard Lafleur, 44, has been charged with one count of break and enter and commit theft, one count of possession of locally stolen property under $5,000 and other offenses.

Lafleur is set to appear in court on Wednesday.

CPS inspector Darry Midtdal said the case “highlights the importance of promptly reporting incidents.”

“As our city continues to grow, construction sites remain prime targets for thieves looking to steal tools and materials,” said Midtdal in the release.

Incidents of copper theft have risen in recent years, with Telus Communications Inc. reporting a 68 per cent increase in 2023 over the year prior.