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September 10, 2012

LREC officials seek help from public in identifying vandals

By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — Officials with Lake Region Electric Cooperative are still asking for the public’s help in identifying those who caused an estimated $1 million in damage to a substation and breakers last week.

Hamid Vahdatipour, CEO of LREC, said the cooperative is still trying to pinpoint who used a high-powered rifle Wednesday to shoot a transformer multiple times at a substation on Mud Valley Road. The shots caused fluids to drain and destroy the transformer, he said.

The vandals also shot two breakers feeding Walmart and Mud Valley Road. Power was knocked out for an entire substation that provided electricity to around 2,000 meters north and east of Tahlequah. Power was restored to all LREC members after about two hours Wednesday, he said.

Most of the repair work is being completed by the cooperative’s power supplier, KAMO, which Vahdatipour said was bringing a mobile substation to replace the transformer temporarily.

“They have the sub in service now,” he said. “I’m not sure when they will bring the replacement transformer to install.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call a local law enforcement agency, or LREC at (918) 772-2526.

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