Copper theft in Miramichi knocks out internet, phone service

Police say an overnight copper theft disrupted communications in Miramichi, leaving behind a costly repair bill as crews worked through the day to restore service.

Jason Lavoie, with the Miramichi Police Force, said that copper and fibre-optic cables were damaged but it's hard to tell how much if any copper was actually stolen.

Whatever was taken wouldn't have been too valuable, he added.

"Probably all the copper you could get off a pole might add up to fifty or a hundred dollars' worth when you're selling it for scrap metal."

Bell Aliant owns the damaged infrastructure, and Lavoie said the company told him the repair costs are estimated to be $30,000.

Contractors were on scene Tuesday to restore service, Lavoie said, and that should be complete in about 24 hours.

The theft occurred at the end of Chapel Road near the empty store that used to be a Zellers and Canadian Tire in the Chatham area of Miramichi.

"It's a dead end street that goes to nowhere, secluded and out of the way," he said.

Police believe the theft took place between 11 p.m, when an officer last patrolled the area, and 3:40 a.m, Lavoie said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the theft to come forward.

Bell Aliant did not immediately respond to a request from CBC News late Tuesday afternoon regarding the size of the outage.

Several businesses in downtown Chatham told CBC News they never lost internet or phone service, while businesses closer to the theft could not be reached.

Dale Mattinson is the manager of the Miramichi airport, and said their internet has been down all day.

While planes could still land, Mattinson said the airport was unable to access weather and other data used to help pilots. Digital payment systems were also down, he said.

"We've had a half-hour [delay] before, but this is something that's all day," he said. 

While the airport doesn't offer passenger service, private charters, air ambulance, RCMP and the coast guard all use the airport, Mattinson said.

Copper theft is nothing new in New Brunswick, and police say it's hard to stop.  

New Brunswick RCMP recently issued a statement asking the public for tips about a copper theft in Victoria County.

Two people on ATVs cut into a fence to gain access a cell tower in Four Falls, north of Perth-Andover, between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Oct. 7, and stole "a significant amount" of copper, the RCMP statement said.

Lavoie said Tuesday's copper theft was the most significant in Miramichi in months. 

"I think it's on the rise everywhere," he said.