Copper thieves knock out power in Bethany Beach area

Delaware State Police detectives this week were looking for suspects who scaled the fences of two power sub-stations near Bethany Beach and stole copper wire, resulting in significant damage to the substations and a loss of power to thousands in the area.

Police said troopers were called to the Delmarva Power substations on the east and west sides of Kent Avenue, south of Bethany Beach, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, after it was discovered that someone had scaled the fence of the substation on the west side of the road and, once inside, had cut the copper grounding wires to several poles, as well as two large transformers.

According to the DSP, the suspects then entered the sub-station located on the east side of the road by scaling another fence and also cut the grounding wires to several poles there.

Police said the suspects then fled with 250 feet of copper wire, valued at approximately $1,000, but they had also caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the substations, which left 30,000 customers from Bethany Beach to West Ocean City, Md., without power for a period of time.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have any information about the incident to contact the Troop 4 Property Crimes Unit at (302) 856-5850, or to provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com.