Dangerous Copper Theft at Dominion Power Electrical Yard

An unknown person recently stole pieces of copper wire from the Dominion Virginia Power electrical yard in Fairfax, according to Fairfax City Police.

A power company employee contacted police on Friday, Jan. 31, telling officers that the incident happened sometime in the past month.

The unknown person involved cut a hole through the fence surrounding the facility and stole the copper wire.

Copper is an enticing target for thieves because of the price they can get in recycling the material. But it's a particularly dangerous crime when on power company property.

Copper theft attempts have been cited as likely reasons for electrocutions across the country, including South Carolina, where a man died last April, and West Virginia, where a man died last May. A suspect died allegedly trying to steal copper from a utility pole in Minnesota in July.