Thieves steal copper wire from power substation

More than 2,500 Peace River Electric customers were without power after the company discovered unknown suspect(s) had stolen about 100 feet of copper ground wire from its Myakka substation.

According to Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports, between Aug. 14 and Sept. 14, unknown suspect(s) cut through the perimeter fence of the electrical substation at 4706 Wauchula Road. Once inside, the suspect(s) cut the numerous copper ground wires running from the heave equipment. The stolen wire is valued at about $100. The facility continued to operate without the ground wires until a repair crew  discovered the crime Sept. 14. It took five linemen two hours to fix the lines.