Building site theft probe leads to charges

A man has been charged with criminal damage and stealing after an investigation was launched into the theft of building material from a new estate north of Perth at the weekend.

Police said they received a call from a member of the public who saw a "suspicious man" with a truck in the Ashby Rise Estate on Korovin Drive - which has many new homes and a tavern under construction - in the early hours of Monday morning.

"Police attended and located a large number of water meters and other brass and copper fittings and pipes in the truck," a spokesperson said today.

"Wanneroo detectives conducted inquiries with the Water Corporation and building contractors in the area and it was identified that the water main for the area was damaged."

Water meters from nearly every new home under construction in the Ashby estate were stolen and the pipe work was damaged.

"A number of the homes had tap fittings and pipe work for hot water systems damaged and stolen," police said.

"The tavern under construction sustained significant damage, estimated at approximately $30,000, and the damage is likely to delay the development by four weeks."

A 34-year-old Balga man has been charged with 30 counts of criminal damage, 28 counts of stealing and one count each of possessing a prohibited drug (cannabis) and possessing drug paraphernalia.

He is due to appear in Joondalup Magistrate's Court on April 28.

Anyone with information about the crimes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.