Multiple power poles damaged in Lloydminster, 1 charged

An RCMP cruiser is pictured with the logo painted on the side. (Source: Facebook)

A 32-year-old man has been charged after someone cut power lines in the Alberta-Saskatchewan border city last week.

Lloydminster RCMP got a 911 call from the area of 44 Street between 56 and 57B Avenues at 5:47 a.m. on April 30 about a suspicious man in the alley.

Police responded and arrested a man cutting electrical wires on power poles.

Police say he had hand tools and copper wire on him when he was arrested.

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Atco Electric said seven poles were damaged by the vandalism.

“This ground system protects people and equipment from electric shock, lightning strikes, and electrical noise. Without electrical ground there is potential of fire, damage to equipment as well as shock,” Atco said in a news release.

A Lloydminster man has been charged with:

• possession of property obtained by crime;
• theft under $5,000;
• mischief under $5,000;
• possession of break-in instruments; and
• failure to comply with a probation order.

The man has been released on conditions and will appear in court in Lloydminster on Tuesday.