Cranberry Police, First Energy Offer Reward in Substation Copper Theft

The Cranberry Township and First Energy are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who by stealing copper from a Cranberry substation.

Police said the thieves entered the substation near V around 4 a.m by cutting the fence surrounding it. They also cut the grounding cables that activate the equipment.

This led to a small explosion that left about 4,000 people across the Cranberry and Zelienople areas lose electricity for much of Wednesday. Power for most residents was restored around 2 p.m.

Penn Power spokesman Doug Colafella said the thieves stole all the copper grounding wires from the station. This is the fourth copper theft from area substations in less that a week. Colafella said there have been two thefts from the same substation in Zelienople and a theft from a New Castle substation since last Thursday.

“We’re obviously working with the local authorities to determine if these are all connected,” he said.

Police said the thieves risked injury or death when they entered the substation area, which is plastered with signs warning of electrocution hazards. Investigators checked area hospitals on Wednesday to find out if anyone was treated for electrical burns, police said.

Cranberry Police continue to investigate the theft and are looking at similar incidents aroud the area. They have not determined the amount of cable stolen or its value.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-776-5180.