A 54-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to steal copper cable from the rail corridor at Takapu Road Station in Tawa, damaging the rail signalling system and disrupting train services.
Police said they received a report about 4am on Friday, 3 July of a person unlawfully entering the rail corridor.
A heavy signalling cable was damaged, but the alleged offender had left before Police arrived.
The severed cable caused signalling faults and train services had to be suspended while emergency repairs were carried out.
Wellington Police’s Investigation Support Unit later executed a search warrant at an address in Porirua, and the 54-year-old man was arrested.
Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Renée Perkins said the damage to the infrastructure was estimated at about $3000, while the delays and loss in productivity for early morning commuters could not be appropriately 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,” she said.
KiwiRail General Manager Wellington Metro Andy Lyon said anyone interfering with rail equipment was putting themselves and others at risk of serious harm.
“Copper theft from the rail corridor is extremely serious. As well as posing a significant safety risk, this type of offending can cause delays, additional costs, and disruption to the community.
“We are grateful to Police for their swift action in making an arrest and will continue to work closely with them on offences of this nature.”
The man is due to appear in Porirua District Court on 2 September charged with endangering transport.