SDG&E; Increases Reward on Substation Copper Wire Burglaries

By FRANKI V. RANSOM

Feb. 27, 1990 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. has raised its reward to $12,000 for information on a countywide series of substation burglaries.

Since December, 16 substations have lost about 700 pounds of ground copper wire, said Larry Savoy, manager of SDG&E; security. The break-ins have occurred in substations from Oceanside to Imperial Beach, and as far east as Lakeside.

Although the value of scrap metal has recently decreased, the average price is about 65 cents a pound through recycling shops and scrap and metal dealers, according to SDG&E.;

Savoy said the reward was increased from $5,000 about a month ago.

“We increased the reward because these break-ins are endangering our employees and costing the company too much money,” he said.

Employees’ lives are endangered because ground wire is a vital part of electrical distribution at the substations. While switching wires or performing routine maintenance, an employee might inadvertently touch a transformer or an electrical component that has its ground wire missing, causing a shock and possibly death, according to an SDG&E; official.

Thieves have cut the chain-link fences around the substations to take the equipment, which is in full display outdoors.

Savoy said employees have been alerted to the hazard, and security guards have been hired to patrol some substations and district facilities.

The added security and repairs have cost SDG&E; several thousand dollars, officials said. The stolen wire is valued at $500.

The thefts can also affect customers. In one instance, customers complained about the brightness of their lights. An SDG&E; investigation revealed that ground wire had been cut and stolen from the corresponding substation.

If the burglaries increase, SDG&E; officials fear, customers may endure major service problems, including power failure.

The San Diego Police and Sheriff’s departments are investigating.

Anyone with information on the break-ins can contact SDG&E; at 239-SDG&E; or Crime Stoppers at 235-TIPS.