Massive theft on weekend at Apex gravel pit

Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of tools and copper wire were stolen over the weekend from a gravel pit on Apex Mountain Road west of Penticton.

Gone are all manner of hand tools and power tools, plus copper wire from inside every cable on the site, according to Roadhammer Crushing owner Wade Wagstaff.

He said the equipment was dropped off Friday when employees began setting up a gravel crushing operation to supply traction aid to the local highways maintenance contractor.

The thieves broke in sometime between the Roadhammer workers leaving the site at 5 p.m. Friday and a new crew arriving at 7 a.m. Saturday.

“In that 14 hours, they gutted it,” said Wagstaff, who also owns Grizzly Excavating.

“They left a pail of tools sitting on the ground, so it’s almost like somebody spooked them,” he added.

The pit is located on Apex Mountain Road, about three kilometres from where it branches off Green Mountain Road.

Anyone who saw a truck parked near the pit Friday night or early Saturday is asked to call the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Wagstaff said the stolen tools aren’t marked, but are all in nearnew condition.

RCMP didn’t respond to a request for comment Monday.