TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative has been the victim of copper theft.
A neighbor reported that a gate to a Kaw Valley substation at NW 35th & Landon Road was open Thursday night.
Crews from Kaw Valley arrived to find thieves had stolen copper grounding cables from several points inside the substation.
Despite the theft, the substation remained operational. However, Kaw Valley crews had to de-energize the substation to make necessary repairs.
Over 1000 Kaw Valley members, generally those who live north of Silver Lake, were without power Thursday night while repairs are made. Estimated repair time by crews on the scene was 1-2 hours.
The approximate value of the stolen copper was $425. Damage to the substation is unknown at this time.
Kaw Valley encourages anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area to call police.
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