A call to police from a member of the public has caught three men red handed, stealing copper in Kilsyth.
A good Samaritan made a call regarding the suspect behaviour of three males on Mount Dandenong Road around midday yesterday.
The males, all wearing hi vis, had cordoned off a telecommunications pit with the appearance they were working.
It's alleged they were using their vehicles to extract copper wiring out of the pit.
On police arrival two of the males fled in a dark-coloured SUV with a trailer attached, east of Canterbury Road.
One male was detained and resisted arrest, officers were forced to deploy OC spray.
The 44-year-old Watsonia North man has been charged with theft, resist emergency worker, possess drug of dependence, drive whilst disqualified and use fraudulent registration label.
He has been bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on 11 December.
The other two males are yet to be located at this stage.
Anyone with information that could assist in locating the medals is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
