A north-east dad was caught stealing thousands of pounds worth of copper wire from a local quarry after witnesses spotted him dressed head to toe in a plastic forensics suite.
Unsuspecting passersby thought something suspicious was going on after they witnessed Marius Zalatorius lugging about the wire at the side of the B997 near Dyce.
Thinking it was odd for someone to be dressed in that way, the witnesses called the police who found Zalatorius hiding in the woods nearby.
When he was searched the 34-year-old was found to have a balaclava with a head torch attached, a can of pepper spray and a walkie-talkie radio. Large heavy-duty bolt cutters were also discovered nearby.
Also close to where he was discovered were two vehicles, one red van and a silver Mazda. Inside the van police found casings for copper wire and it later emerged Zalatorius was the owner.
The following day workers at Loch Hills Quarry found there was no power in the yard and when they investigated matters further they found almost 1000ft of copper piping was missing.
Yesterday Zalatorius appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted stealing the copper piping on January 12 this year. He also admitted being in possession of a pepper spray, which is classified as a firearm.
Fiscal Depute Anne MacDonald told the court the value of the copper piping stolen by the accused, and others who are not known to the Crown, was valued at around £16,500.
Sheriff Graeme Napier ordered background reports to be carried out before sentencing Zalatorius and warned him that he was facing a custodial sentence given the “serious nature” of the charges.
Zalatorius, of 16 Cantlay Court, Cruden Bay, will return to court next month.