3 charged, another wanted in connection to copper wire thefts

Edmonton police say three men have been charged in connection to copper wire thefts, and another man is still wanted.

EPS says between September and November 2023, officers responded to multiple break-ins at the Canadian National Railway storage yard near 127 Avenue at 121 Street.

Police say in most of the incidents, fencing was cut through to gain access to the yard, where copper wire was then stolen.

“Copper wire theft remains a big problem in the City of Edmonton,” says Acting Det. Tyrone O’Dea of the West Branch Investigative Response Team (IRT). “In some instances, the destructive nature of these thefts disturbs ongoing infrastructure projects within the city.”

Throughout the course of the investigation, police identified multiple suspects, which led to multiple arrests and charges.

Police say 50-year-old Michael James Roberts has been charged with six counts of breaking and entering. Police note he also had six outstanding warrants for breaking and entering with intent to commit, possessing break-in instruments, failure to comply with probation order, two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking, and failing to attend court.

Mark Gerald Johnston, 37, has also been charged with breaking and entering, and six counts of breaching conditional sentence order.

Shane Michael Manning, 38, is facing charges of breaching a release order, utter forged document, and obstruction of a police officer.

Police note 33-year-old Charles Taggart Patterson is wanted for breaking and entering, and has not yet been located by officers.

If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Patterson or the copper wire thefts is asked to contact investigators at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.