Copper Thieves Hit Substations in Louisiana’s Union Parish

Union Parish, La., sheriff’s deputies and Marion police are investigating the theft of a large amount of copper wiring from a substation owned by Claiborne Electric Co.

Deputies say a large amount of copper was stolen over the weekend from a transmission tower that is used by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and the Union Fire District. The tower is on La. Highway 143 near Linville.

The News-Star reports the copper stolen from Claiborne Electric is valued at more than $13,000.

While investigators were at the substation, workers reported that someone had cut through the fence at a second substation on La. Highway 827, which is owned by Louisiana Generating.

Investigators believe the thefts are related.