Suspect sought after 10 EV charging cables cut in B.C.’s capital region

A light-coloured SUV, possibly a Jeep Patriot, has been identified as a suspect vehicle in a series of EV charging cable thefts in B.C.'s capital region. (Handout)

Police are investigating after 10 electric vehicle charging cables were cut and stolen from locations around B.C.’s capital region over a period of several days.

West Shore RCMP said investigators believe all the incidents are connected, based on surveillance videos from the scenes and the manner with which the cables were cut.

“It’s such a particular crime,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar. “It’s not something we’ve come across before.”

Confirmed targets include two gas stations in Langford and a recreation centre in Colwood, but investigators are looking into a similar report at a fourth location in View Royal.

Each incident appears to have happened between the hours of 12 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Cables were first cut at the Peninsula Co-op Gas Station on West Shore Parkway on Sept 30, followed by the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre on Island Highway on Oct. 3.

The Shell on West Shore Parkway was targeted on Oct. 4, and the RCMP said the culprit appears to have headed back to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre for more cables the same night.

Authorities are searching for a suspect described as a man with “lighter-coloured skin” wearing dark clothing. They are also trying to track down a suspect vehicle described as a light-coloured SUV, possibly an older-model Jeep Patriot.

Saggar said investigators are still working to determine the motive, but it’s possible the incidents are a form of metal thefts.

“I feel these cords are going to be rendered useless,” she said. “There’s a possibility that the wiring on the inside could be of value.”

The damage so far has tallied into the “tens of thousands of dollars,” Saggar added.

The RCMP asked anyone with information on any of the incidents to contact the West Shore detachment at 250-474-2264.