The Somerset Sheriff’s Department arrested a Tomhegan Township man last week after he allegedly used an excavator to steal copper wire from a Moscow wind farm station and caused $200,000 in damages.
On June 8, the Cianbro Corporation, a construction company, informed deputies of a theft at their work site off Stream Road in Moscow.
They initially reported that a building had been burglarized and that the suspect had entered their storage area.
Throughout the course of the investigation, deputies learned that the suspect had allegedly transported an excavator to the site and used it to dig up ground wire connected to a wind turbine station.
He allegedly stole the wire along with large amounts of copper and also reportedly damaged building doors and fences. The suspect also allegedly burglarized several buildings and storage areas.
The overall estimated cost of damages and stolen items is approximately $200,000.
Cianbro’s security personnel assisted in identifying a vehicle and suspect involved.
Weeks after the incident, on June 29, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the Somerset Sheriff’s Department received information about more activity occurring at the job site.
Sergeant William Crawford IV responded and discovered Alex Stanley, 37, of Tomhegan Township.
He was arrested and charged with burglary, theft by unauthorized taking, and aggravated criminal mischief.
Stanley was transported to the Somerset County Jail but has since been released on $2,500 bail with a condition preventing him from returning to the work site.
Additional charges are expected to follow after the case is reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.
