4 charged in vandalism
November 10,2012
4 charged in
vandalism
CONCORD — Two adults and two juveniles from New Hampshire have been charged with gunshot damage to Vermont insulators on a major electric transmission line that runs from Quebec to Massachusetts.
Vermont Electric Power company, which owns the state’s transmission grid, said it cost New England ratepayers about $1 million for replacement power. The company said it cost about $250,000 to replace the shot-out insulators.
A police investigation led to Littleton, N.H., where a search warrant at a residence turned up evidence.
The four were charged with felony unlawful mischief and reckless endangerment.
The adults are 19-year-old Patrick Bummer of Bethlehem, N.H., and 18-year-old Jordan Hamel of Littleton. All are scheduled to be in Caledonia Superior Court on Dec. 13.
The damage was discovered last week.
The case was reviewed by state and federal authorities to determine if it was terrorist-related, but it is being treated as vandalism.
