Copper Thieves Targeting Utility Substations

Modified: April 6, 2016 12:17pm

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11/09/2015

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports thieves broke into utility companies’ substations by cutting security gate locks and removing copper wire and fixtures from devices in the stations.

Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating four separate incidents where an individual or individuals gained access to NYSEG and Village of Springville substations and stripped copper fittings, posts, and grounding wires necessary for the normal operation of the substations. The NYSEG substations affected were State Road in the Town of Colden, Hunn Road in the Town of Boston, Girdle Road in the Town of Elma, and the Village of Springville’s substation.

The thefts at the State and Hunn road locations were reported on October 3; the Girdle Road incident was reported on October 10, and the Village of Springville incident was reported on November 1.

Detectives are asking anyone familiar with the locations and may have observed suspicious, non-company vehicles parked at or near the substations to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 716.858.2903.

The total cost of the materials stolen is estimated at $14,000.