Criminals are believed to have put lives at risk after robbing the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), ACT Policing say.
Police believe people have cut down live power lines for copper, leaving live electrical wires exposed on the ground, in two separate incidents.
This occurred at the CSIRO facility between Nicholls and Evatt/McKellar next to the Barton Highway.
Inspector Nigel Booth from Gungahlin Police Station said leaving live electrical wires on the ground was "very dangerous".
"Concerningly, people have left live wires exposed. These actions are very dangerous as there is enough power in the lines to be fatal if touched," he said.
"We are continuing to investigate the incidents at the CSIRO facility, and urge anyone with information in relation to the identity of these offenders to come forward."
Police said men have been charged with stealing copper in other incidents this year.
"This follows multiple incidents of copper thefts this year, resulting in extensive damage to Commonwealth heritage listed buildings in Lawson," police said.
"In incidents between January 2024 to April 2024, a man caused significant damage to a property in Lawson in the process of obtaining the copper.
"A 53-year-old Curtin man was charged with multiple offences including five counts of trespassing on prohibited Commonwealth land, four counts of damaging heritage in reserve, four counts of theft, and burglary. He faced the ACT Magistrates Court in May 2024."
Police said that in a separate May incident, they responded to reports of several people unlawfully entering another building in the same Lawson facility.
They said they found four men, one of whom allegedly fled in a white Holden ute. He was later arrested at his Spence home.
"Four people have been charged in relation to this incident with various offences including aggravated burglary, trespass on prohibited Commonwealth land, theft, damaging Commonwealth property, and failing to stop for police," ACT police said.
Inspector Booth said that these outcomes should serve as a warning to the community.
"This is an example of the consequences you can expect to face if you engage in this type of behaviour and damage Commonwealth property," he said.
"The theft of copper in these instances caused significant damage to heritage listed property, and irreversible damage to the value and history of the buildings.
"Our message to anyone thinking of stealing copper is simple - don't. We have a number of methods allowing us to disrupt this offending, and to identify and track down those involved."
