Work on a 23-mile transmission line between Branch County and a substation in Mendon Township has hit a snag with the theft of copper wires used in the project.
The incident took place at a work site off North Snow Prairie Road in northwestern Branch County either Jan. 21 or 22. Sheriff’s Department officials in Branch County said copper wires are a necessary component of the transmission lines.
Deputies said stealing copper wires from such a site was risky because of the chance of a suspect getting shocked from improperly handling the wires.
Workers were back on the job last week, and the so-called Simpson-Batavia project is expected to be completed in April.