Theft leads to power outage

EPHRATA - Grant County PUD Customers in northern Grant County experienced a power outage the weekend of Oct. 27 due to what appears to be metal theft from electrical equipment.

Grant PUD and the Grant County Sheriff's Office remind residents that stealing wire and metal components from electric equipment is dangerous, illegal and must be reported. Not only can it lead to deadly consequences for the thief, it endangers crews making repairs.

Grant PUD and the local sheriff's office urge you to report any suspicious activity near electric facilities or equipment immediately.

Utilities across the country have seen a rise in metal theft recently, and Grant PUD is not exempt. One instance in 2011 resulted in $15,000 worth of conductor wire being stolen from a substation construction site.

Businesses interested in learning about individuals in the area who are prohibited from selling scrap metal are invited to visit the sheriff's office metal and copper theft prevention web page: www.co.grant.wa.us/sheriff/HTM/metal-theft.

To report a non-emergency call MACC Dispatch at: (509) 762-1160. If you are reporting a crime in progress dial 9-1-1.

- Staff report