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FirstEnergy offers $5,000 reward in connection to overhead wire and electrical equipment theft

Posted at 11:32 PM, Nov 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-14 23:32:29-05

The FirstEnergy Illuminating Company is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of thieves responsible for stealing overhead wire and electrical equipment in the Cleveland area. 

According to FirstEnergy, individuals are cutting energized wires and letting them drop to the ground. They are also dressing as utility workers to make their criminal activities appear legitimate and have been known to go door-to-door notifying nearby residents about a power outage to delay the time customers reported the incident to the Illuminating Company. 

FirstEnergy asks that anyone with information about the thefts contact the FirstEnergy tip line at 866-487-2743 or the Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers tip line at 216-252-7463. The reporting process will be anonymous and reward money will be paid upon arrest and prosecution. 

They also are reminding anyone who sees downed wires to immediately report the location by calling 888-544-4877.