CHARLOTTE — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is still looking for the people responsible for shooting and damaging several electrical substations in recent months across North Carolina, and now the agency is offering up to $25,000 for information on the Randolph County incident.
Two Duke Energy substations were attacked on Dec. 3 in Moore County, causing a days-long power outage that affected tens of thousands of people. Weeks later, an EnergyUnited substation near Thomasville in Randolph County was shot at and taken offline.
Crews found gunfire damage to one of the transformers in Randolph County. Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned that the substation was offline because of the shooting, which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- FBI investigating if EnergyUnited substation shooting is tied to earlier NC attacks
- Gun shop owner sleeps in store to ward off thieves during Moore County blackouts
- Power grid attack: Duke Energy previously fined for security violations, report alleges
- NC families seek shelter from cold amid power outages caused by substation attack
- FBI investigating power grid attack in Moore County, sheriff says
- Authorities file search warrants in connection with Moore County power grid attack
- Power restored: Moore County residents try to return to normal after substation attack
EnergyUnited said it has reviewed and increased security at its substations since last month.
On Friday, the FBI issued a new notice seeking information on the Randolph County attack. The FBI says information leading to the conviction of whoever’s responsible for the shootings can earn a $25,000 reward.
Previously, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the state was offering $75,000 for information on the Moore County attack. The FBI is also offering $25,000 in that case.
Data from the Department of Energy shows power grid attacks are at their highest levels since 2012. Channel 9′s Madison Carter found the attacks are on the rise simply because they’re easy to pull off.
It’s not proprietary information: There are maps online showing where every substation is across the country. Carter discovered anyone can see their exact locations, who owns the stations, what areas they serve, and in some cases, what kind of security protections are in place.
If you have information on the Randolph County substation shooting, you’re urged to call the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office at 336-318-6685 or submit a tip online at this link.
(WATCH BELOW: Power restored: Moore County residents try to return to normal after substation attack)
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