Solar panels stolen from gas well site in Arras

Arras Dawson Creek RCMP are asking the public for information about the theft of several solar panels from a well site in Arras.

The losses total more than $10,000. Solar panels are often used to power monitoring systems on remote, off-grid oil and gas sites.  

Police say about 22 solar panels were taken from the site sometime between 5 p.m. April 13 and 2 p.m. April 14.

Additional thefts of copper wire ground cable and deep-cycle batteries used for solar panels have been reported over the past few weeks, police say.

"We don't know if they're stealing them for the recycle fee or if they've got a connection (to sell them to)," Sgt. Ed Reinink of the Dawson Creek detachment said. "We know a bunch of them are being sold in Alberta to scrap dealers. Same with the copper wire."

Earlier this month, $100,000 worth of theft and damage was done to an Encana well site near Kelly Lake. Thieves made off with copper ground cables. Police are not sure of the date of the crime, but it was reported on April 20. 

On April 24, four deep cycle solar panel batteries were stolen from other sites in the South Peace.

"Battery thefts haven't really caught on over here so much (compared to Alberta) but solar panels— they sell them to RV owners. One of those will basically power all your lights."

All the thefts were in remote areas on sites that do not have security systems in place.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Dawson Creek detachment at 250-784-3700. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477

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