A 54-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to steal copper cable from the rail corridor, damaging the safety signals system, New Zealand Police said.
At about 4 a.m. on Friday, July 3, police received a report about a person unlawfully entering the rail corridor at Takapu Road Station in Tawa, Wellington. A heavy signaling cable was damaged; however, the alleged offender left the scene before Police arrived.
The severed cable caused signaling faults which required train services to be suspended while emergency repairs were undertaken.
Wellington Police’s Investigation Support Unit executed a search warrant at an address in Porirua, and the man was subsequently arrested. He is set to appear in Porirua District Court on Sept. 2 on a charge of endangering transport.
Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Renée Perkins said the cost of damage to the infrastructure is about $3000, but the delay and loss of productivity for early-morning commuters cannot be adequately quantified.
“It’s very disappointing that people are causing damage to public transport services and are willing to put other people’s lives at risk,” Perkins said.
Andy Lyon, KiwiRail’s General Manager Wellington Metro, said anyone interfering with rail equipment is putting themselves and others at risk of serious harm.
“Copper theft from the rail corridor is extremely serious. In addition to posing a significant safety risk, this type of offending can cause delays, additional costs, and disruption to the community,” Lyon said.
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