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Six nabbed in wind farm theft
Credit: North Adams Transcript | 11/23/2013 | www.thetranscript.com ~~
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FLORIDA – State police say six people are facing charges in connection with the theft of about $38,000 worth of copper wire from a wind farm.
The wire stolen from the Hoosac Wind Project atop Bakke Mountain in Florida is described as being one-inch in diameter with a 100-watt capacity specifically designed for a wind turbine. Three of the suspects are from Pittsfield, two are from Adams and one is from Northampton.
Investigators say the suspects dug under a security fence surrounding the facility and cut sections off two large spools of wire.
They then allegedly tried to sell the copper wire to local scrap metal yards.
Trooper Ryan Mauer from the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Cheshire led the investigation. State Police and Pittsfield Police then coordinated to detain the men for questioning.
A subsequent search of a hotel room yielded evidence of the theft, including the stripped wire outer cover, tools used to cut the wire, and narcotics paraphernalia.
As a result, the arrested parties and charges are as follows:
Eli Waters, 33, of Pittsfield, seven counts of receiving stolen property over $250; three counts of malicious destruction of property; knowingly being present where heroin is kept; and trespassing.
Gina Arnold, 32, of Pittsfield, two counts of receiving stolen property; three counts of malicious destruction of property; knowingly being present where heroin is kept; and trespassing.
Dylan Greiter, 24, of Northampton, two counts of receiving stolen property over $250; three counts of malicious destruction of property; knowingly being present where heroin is kept; and trespassing.
Jamene Hinckley-Morrison, 32, of Pittsfield, three counts of receiving stolen property over $250; three counts of malicious destruction of property; knowingly being present where heroin is kept; and trespassing.
Marc Bednarz, 46, of Adams, four counts of receiving stolen property over $250
Brian McAdoo, 35, of Adams, three counts of receiving stolen property over $250, operating under the influence, and driving with a revoked registration/uninsured motor vehicle.
All six were to be arraigned in Northern and Central Berkshire district courts.
Iberdrola Renewables built the turbine farm at a cost of about $50 million, but spent nearly that much in legal expenses. Last December, Gov. Deval Patrick was on hand to unveil the opening of the wind farm and heralded it as part of his renewable energy initiative in Massachusetts. The wind farm puts out enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.
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