Williamsburg, VA 23185
A Dominion Virginia Power transfer station in James City County was burglarized sometime between March 18 and 29, with about $500 in copper wiring and brass fittings stolen.
In addition to the stolen goods, the break-in caused about $2,000 in damage to the transfer station on the 8900 block of Pocahontas Trail, according to an email from Maj. Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department.
James City County and Dominion Power have seen a number of copper burglaries in recent months. More than $32,000 worth of copper and wire was stolen from Dominion Power in January. A spate of smaller burglaries have also attracted the attention of James City County Police. You can read about those here and here.
Three men suspected of stealing copper and other materials from Dominion facilities in York County in January were arrested that month, though they are not believed to have any connection to the incidents in James City County.
NPR’s Morning Edition featured a story about how states across the country are exploring laws to curb rampant copper theft. In Virginia, for example, a law was passed last month that requires scrap dealers to take pictures of metal they purchase and keep those photographs on hand for at least a month. Rubino was interviewed in that story, which you can read about and listen to here.
Anyone with information on any of these burglaries is encouraged to contact Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP (888-562-5887).
