American Electric Power (AEP) workers say thieves stole hundreds
of feet in copper wiring and may have caused power surges that destroyed
people's appliances.
Sheriff's officials said crews caught someone
stealing wire in the Prichard
Meanwhile, neighbors noticed the
effects around 2 a.m. Monday, as surges overpowered their electronics.
Wayne County Sheriff's officials said
crews spotted at least one person stealing neutral wiring near Prichard
Elementary.
Appalachian Power said the wire is made
of copper and keeps the electric currents stable.
Crews lined the road Monday, making
repairs and checking lines.
AEP said the theft could have caused
the surges. The company estimates about 100 people were affected.
State Police say they are investigating
the theft.
If you were affected, an AEP
spokesperson says it's important to file a claim through AEP's customer service
department.
She added, if it's found the issue was
beyond their control, they may not pay your claim.
AEP officials also said they do not
offer a check-up service for homes after these type of situations, so
homeowners and renters may want to look into their insurance policies for
options.
