Electric Co-op Today

Sophisticated meters and the local grapevine helped nab power thieves in rural Georgia. (Photo By: D4Fish)

A recent episode involving a rash of power thefts and stolen meters in the service area of a Georgia co-op has proven there is strength in numbers.

In local news outlets and in its monthly newsletter, Mitchell EMC, Camilla, is publicly thanking consumer-members for leading workers to power thieves. Although sensors in the meters tipped off the co-op to tampering, it is also crediting sharp-eyed citizens for help.

“Your support has led to arrests and a drop in the number of occurrences,” said an article in Mitchell EMC’s August newsletter. “For that, we would like to express our sincere appreciation.”

Christopher Tedesco, 28, and Angela Sorrell, 32, have each been charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property and theft of services. Tedesco is out on bond and is awaiting arraignment, according to the Dougherty County district attorney’s office. Meanwhile, Sorrell negotiated a guilty plea and could spend up to a year in jail, the office said.

In early July, about seven meters were stolen in one week, nearly double the usual amount stolen in one month, said Sunny Cochran, the co-op’s energy services representative.

“Times are pretty desperate here,” said Cochran, noting that jobs are scarce and people are having trouble paying their electric bills.

It also helped that developers of a proposed Walmart worked with property owners to reduce crime and theft in the area. So when the co-op’s Charles Gilbert, safety and loss coordinator, came to investigate the meter situation, the community rallied.

“Due to community support, Mr. Gilbert was really able to score,” said Cochran. “In a matter of minutes, he located four instances of meter and/or power theft. At one location all utility services—gas, water and electric—were being conducted through stolen meters.”

Tags: Co-op News, Consumer-Members, Crime