Copper Theft at Lumbee River Hoke County Substation
by Mark Cowan
RAEFORD – A Hoke County man was charged 5th August after breaking into a Lumbee River EMC substation and stealing copper. The theft was reported on May 6 at the substation at 106 North Horace Walters Road, a news release from the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators found multiple burns on equipment at the facility and markings in the gravel that showed someone crawled through a hole that was cut in the fence. Scraps of copper wiring were also found along the drag marks.
Investigators spoke with nearby hospitals and found a male had been admitted on the same day as the copper theft. His Injuries appeared consistent with electrical shock injuries and on questioning he admitted to attempting to cut copper wiring from the substation. He was charged with injuring a utility wire/fixture, first-degree trespass upon the infrastructure of utility company and misdemeanour larceny.
Back in 2010, a 23-year-old man died after being electrocuted while trying to steal copper wiring from the same substation. He was cutting copper grounding when electrocuted and fell 10 feet to the ground. Company spokesman Walter White said a chain and lock on a 7- to 8-foot fence surrounding the substation appeared to have been cut.
6th May 2015
Source: Fayobserver.com
