Five men and a teenager have been sentenced for theft of copper cable in Oxfordshire.
Adrian Ion, 29, Alexandru Nastasa, 28, Remus Ioan Nemes, 29, Florin Stoica, 22, Bobi Tanase, 38, and a 17-year-old boy, all of no fixed abode, were sentenced at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to five days behind bars.
All six were charged with theft of copper coated cabling 24 hours earlier, after they were arrested following a theft from Varian UK Ltd at Oxford Industrial Park, Mead Road, Yarnton, Kidlington on Monday, January 16.
Police were alerted to the theft and they were all arrested following a search of the nearby area. Ch Insp Geoff Robinson, Silver Commander for Operation Precious, which targets metal theft, said: “Thames Valley Police continues to be dedicated to tackling metal theft across the force. Metal theft continues to be a priority, together with our partners and the metal trade industry collectively, we intend to reduce the number of offences being committed and bring those responsible to account.
“I urge business owners and residents to be vigilant and report anyone or any vehicle acting suspiciously, particularly take note of the vehicle registration plate details and contact police.”
Thames Valley Police is working with licensed scrap dealers in the multi-agency, force-wide Operation Precious. The scheme aims to to reduce the opportunity for thieves to sell on or dispose of stolen metal items. This is done by asking local, licensed scrap metal dealers and vehicle dismantlers to turn away and report any attempts to sell them stolen metal. All participating dealers are regulated by their local authorities.
