Police have recovered several hundred kilograms of stolen copper after a Chiltern man allegedly targeted a Beechworth quarry multiple times.
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Detectives raided a Chiltern property on Sunday following multiple burglaries at the Flat Rock Road business.
It's alleged a 32-year-old man stole close to a tonne of copper.
A second man will be interviewed on Monday.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Ash Eames said copper theft was a dangerous activity which could involve live wires, and had led to deaths.
"We are regularly in contact with all the scrap metal dealers in the area," he said.
"We monitor what is sold and who is selling it.
"It's a dangerous choice to steal copper.
"People are risking their lives."
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The detective said it was a crime committed in the region "from time to time".
"It's a pretty dangerous thing to do," he said.
"People have died on a number of occasions stealing copper."
It's alleged the man stripped wire from buildings at the sand quarry, which isn't running at the moment but is looking to resume operations.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Eames said several hundred kilograms of copper had been recovered during Sunday's search warrant and a further 600 to 700 kilograms had already been sold.
The last theft occurred on Saturday morning with further offending during the week.
The 32-year-old has been charged with 20 offences including burglary, theft, handling stolen goods, obtaining property by deception and possessing the proceeds of crime.
He was bailed and will face the Wodonga Magistrates Court on April 6.
