There's been a significant increase in copper wire thefts in Huron County.
Since early October, OPP officers have investigated 21 incidents where suspects have stolen copper wire and/or damaged wind turbines from the Grand Bend Wind Mill Farm along the Bluewater coast. 10 power transmission substations throughout Huron County have also been targeted.
In most cases the thieves have cut off lengths of the exposed copper wire grounding cables. In some cases the thieves have even forced entry into the base of the turbines to steal the copper wire.
The value of the stolen wire is typically less than $1,000 per incident, but the associated repairs to the facilities and the service interruption costs are well into the thousands.
Huron OPP are asking residents to be vigilant around wind turbine and power substation sites and report any suspicious activity or vehicles on the property.
Police warn that thieves are putting themselves at risk of personal injury, including electrocution when they attempt to steal copper wire.
