Powercor regional asset manager Nicholas Rees at the scene of the latest theft of copper wire and tools from the company s Warrnambool depot.
THIEVES have again targeted Warrnambool's Powercor depot and made off with copper wire and tools valued at $25,000.
It is the second time the depot has been robbed in the past couple of months.
Detective Senior Constable Damian Coutts, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit (CIU), said the depot's chain mesh fence was cut to gain entry. Security camera footage showed two men entered the premises about 8.15pm on Sunday.
He said the men then worked at cutting lengths of copper wire from seven or eight drums and transported the stolen material to a vehicle believed to be parked in Merrivale Drive.
The thieves left about midnight Sunday.
Detective Senior Constable Coutts said crime scene officers yesterday found tyre marks on a steep embankment on the east side of the depot.
"It appears that their vehicle has been parked very close to the point of entry. Anyone who saw anything in that area during Sunday evening and night is requested to contact the Warrnambool police CIU or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," he said.
"This was certainly not a random theft. The theft of expensive metals, such as copper, has been going on for the past couple of years around the state."
Detective Senior Constable Coutts said the thieves had also gained access to truck depot and stole tools from two trucks within that area.
He said the tools were used to cut padlocks into about seven toolboxes in a shed.
Powercor regional assets manager Nick Rees yesterday encouraged anyone with information about the break-in and theft to pass it on to police.