On October 3, 2019, just before 10:30 a.m., Burin Peninsula RCMP were called to a break and enter in progress at the Greenhill substation of Newfoundland Power in Grand Bank.
Police arrived on scene, located and arrested a 29-year-old Fortune man near the site. A search warrant of his vehicle was executed and a quantity of copper wire was located.
He is facing charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, possession of break and enter tools, break and enter with intent, and mischief causing danger to life. He was released from custody and is scheduled to attend court on December 11, 2019.
This incident caused a loss of electrical service to a large number of residents for approximately 11 hours.
RCMP NL cautions those who chose to engage in this sort of crime of the level of danger they put themselves in within areas of high voltage. Their actions can have fatal consequences for both themselves and the employees that work on site.
The investigation is continuing. Police suspect there may be others involved in this incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Burin Peninsula RCMP at 709-279-3001. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (TIPS is 8477), by Secure Web Tips at www.nlcrimestoppers.com, or by downloading the free and secure mobile app. Search the App Store for "P3 Tips". Electronic tips submitted to Crime Stoppers are encrypted, entirely confidential and completely anonymous.