Men accused of causing $6,600 in damage during copper theft
March 02,2013
NEWFANE — Two men are accused of causing more than $6,000 in damage to a Vermont Electric Power Company substation in September while stealing about $740 in copper wire, according to Trooper Jeff Hudson of the Vermont State Police.
Russell A. Buzby, 46, of Newfane, and James D. Nestor Jr., 45, of Bennington, are scheduled to be arraigned in Windham criminal court on March 26 on charges of grand larceny, unlawful trespass and unlawful mischief, Hudson said in a press release.
On Sept. 20, the Vermont State Police were notified of a copper wire theft from the VELCO substation in Newfane on Route 30.
After an investigation, aided by surveillance video from the substation, police determined that Nestor and Buzby stole several hundred pounds of copper ground wire from the VELCO substation around 8 p.m. Sept. 16, causing damage in the process.
Upon questioning, both Buzby and Nestor admitted to the theft, Hudson said.
The stolen copper was sold to a scrap yard for about $736. The cost to repair the substation was estimated at about $6,600.
