Three people have been taken into custody after allegedly attempting to steal copper piping on the Kapiti Coast early this morning.
Police said it was alerted to the incident on Old State Highway 1 near Greenhill Rd in Waikanae at around 1.10am.
One person was taken into custody at the scene, while two others allegedly fled on foot.
A police dog tracked down one of the pair about 50 minutes later, while the other was found attempting to hide in water, police said.
Around 50m of cabling was also found near the alleged offenders' vehicle.
Inquiries were ongoing and furthers charges were likely.
Earlier this year, police warned of a rise in copper thefts as the value of scrap copper increased.
"These have included copper cylinders being targeted, copper wire being burnt off and stripped, and copper being taken from buildings and power companies," Constable Craig Colyer said.
"Police are asking anyone with information about copper crimes, or of scrap copper that may come from suspicious origins, to contact police immediately."
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