MAJOR THEFT OF SPECIALIZED VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Federal and local authorities request the public’s assistance with information concerning a major theft near Yuma, Arizona.
Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge John E. Lewis and Yuma County Sheriff Ralph Ogden, advise their agencies are investigating a crime committed at a Department of Energy power line maintenance facility.
At some time, between about 5:00 p.m., October 20, 2006, and 3:00 p.m., October 21, 2006, Gila Substation Maintenance Facility, owned by the Department of Energy’s Western Area Power Administration, was burglarized. Property stolen included three specialized utility vehicles and tools worth more than $100,000. These tools were used to maintain the high-voltage power grid and equipment. Specialized skill and knowledge are necessary to use these tools and operate the power grid.
One of the vehicles was described as being a bright red, 2005, Chevy 3500, government license plate, G63-1300B. The second was a 2006, gray Chevy 2500, government license plate, G63-2847B. The third stolen vehicle, a white Ford F-550, was recovered on October 21, 2006 at approximately 9:30 a.m. The F-550 was found abandoned and burned in Yuma County at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers. These trucks were modified to carry utility equipment and heavy ladders.
At this time, there is no known terrorist threat related to these thefts. However, given the type of equipment and tools stolen, the FBI and the Yuma County Sheriff’s office requests the public’s assistance with any information concerning these thefts. Contact points are: FBI, Phoenix Division, (602) 279-5511; FBI, Yuma Resident Agency, (928) 344-3050; and the Yuma County Sheriff’s office (928) 783-4427.
A reward of $10,000 is being offered by the FBI for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individual(s) responsible for this theft. Additionally, Western is also offering a cash reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrests and prosecution of anyone involved in this theft through its Crime Witness program. Witness identities are kept strictly confidential. To report information about this crime to the Western Crime Witness program, call toll-free 1-800-209-8962 or report the information online at http://www:wapa.gov/crimeform.htm. |
