Oliver Landfill. (File photo)
Brian Barata, 38 of Oliver, faces criminal charges following an Oliver RCMP investigation into thefts from local landfills.
He is scheduled to appear in court on July 20 in Penticton.
Barata is charged with attempted theft under $5,000 and possession of breaking and entering tools.
Oliver RCMP said they apprehended a suspect in the early hours of July 3 inside the SIBCO landfill site near Black Sage Road in Oliver.
The make was found in possession of break and enter tools and was arrested.
Barata appeared before a justice of the peace and was released on strict conditions, including an 8 p.m. curfew and a prohibition from visiting any scrap metal dealers and visiting any landfills in the South Okanagan.
Oliver RCMP said there have been 27 reports of thefts from the SIBCO landfill site and the landfill in Osoyoos has experienced a similar increase in thefts. Thieves have been stealing scrap metal and used batteries.
Despite efforts from the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen to secure the site, the thefts continued, primarily due to the remote and secluded location of the sites.
Landfill sites are private property and accessing the site after hours constitutes a criminal offence of breaking and entering, Oliver RCMP said in a statement last week.
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