Ground Wires Stolen From Hydro Poles – $10,000 In Damage

(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) in Perth County is investigating the theft of ground wires from hydro poles in Mitchell.

A concerned Mitchell resident attended at the O.P.P. Detachment in Mitchell and reported noticing the copper ground wire had been cut and removed from a hydro pole in front of his residence on Waterloo St.

Officers attended the reported location and confirmed that approximately 2.5 meters of ground wire, which runs from the transformer at the top of the pole along the side to the ground, had been cut and removed. A further check of nearby transformer poles revealed similar damage.

Erie Thames Power officials were contacted and upon a check of their Mitchell power network discovered that 23 hydro poles had the ground wires cut and removed. From some of the weathered conditions of the wire’s cut ends, it appears that the thefts may have taken place in the fall of 2013. It is estimated that the cost of replacing the missing and cut wires will be in excess of $10,000.00

The Perth County O.P.P. is continuing their investigation into this theft. They would like to speak to anyone having information about this incident. They can be contacted at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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