POUGHKEEPSIE – Central Hudson Gas and Electric is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those who broke into the Smithfield, Hibernia, and Stanfordville substations, stole copper wiring, and caused significant damage to equipment in the facilities.
Company Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operations Ryan Hawthorne said their “primary concern in preventing the theft of copper and metals is to protect our employees and the public and maintain the safety of our facilities.”
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the State Police at 845-677-7300 or the Central Hudson theft of services hotline at 877-728-3465.
Hawthorne said the trespassers at the three substations put themselves in harem’s way by cutting out copper ground wire that resulted in significant equipment failure.
He said theft of those items “increases costs because they must be replaced, but place perpetrators and utility personnel in danger, as the wires are often used as a safety measure for electrical transformers and other equipment so that they can be safely handled and maintained.”
Removal of the wires could cause serious injury or death to thieves as well as utility workers and others who may later approach the facilities, Hawthorne said.
