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FROM NORTHEAST INTELLIGENCE NETWORK:

US Infrastructure : Power grid maintenance trucks, $100,000 of equipment stolen in Arizona
Posted by admin on 2006/10/26 2:48:37 ( )

*26 October 2006: Three-(3) specially-outfitted and equipped power line maintenance trucks and more than $100,000 in tools were stolen from the Gila Substation Maintenance facility in Yuma county, Arizona sometime between 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 20 through 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2006. The substation is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy's Western Area Power Administration, and the stolen equipment is specifically used to maintain the region’s high voltage power grid. One of the stolen vehicles, a white Ford F-550, was found in a remote desert area near the Colorado and Gila rivers, reportedly stripped of its equipment and burned over the weekend.
FBI spokesperson Deb McCarley publicly stressed that there is nothing to suggest that the theft has any nexus to terrorism or poses any risk to the nation’s infrastructure, and noted that “young people are known to ‘hang out’ in the area.” On Tuesday, the FBI and the Yuma County Sheriff’s office posted a $10,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Meanwhile, one law enforcement agent privately expressed concern about the motive for the theft.

A commissioned law enforcement source in Yuma County, interviewed yesterday by Northeast Intelligence Network director Doug Hagmann on the condition of keeping his name private, described the theft as “planned” and not one of opportunity. This is not a case where someone ‘hanging out in the area decide to take a truck for a joyride. I am inclined to believe that whoever did this knew what they were taking.” This source declined to provide any specific details of the theft, but added that it certainly did not appear to be a random case of vehicle theft. He also stated that patrols are being stepped up near electrical stations, substations and other “areas of concern.”
Missing:
* A bright red 2005 Chevy 3500, U.S. government license plate # G63-1300B.
* A gray 2006 Chevy 2500, U.S. government license plate # G63-2847B.