Authorities in Washington state requested surveillance or other videos on Tuesday as they investigate what has been described as intentional damage to power substations.
On Christmas Day, vandalism at four substations south and southeast of Tacoma knocked out power to more than 14,000 customers, according to officials.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, equipment was damaged at two Tacoma Public utility substations and two Puget Sound Energy substations on Sunday.
According to the sheriff’s department, the cause of the burglaries and vandalism incidents, one of which resulted in a fire, is unknown.
“It is unknown if there are any motives or if this was a coordinated attack on the power systems,” the department stated on Sunday.
Sgt. Darren Moss Jr., a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, did not provide any additional details about the investigation on Tuesday, but did say, “We are working with and notifying all law enforcement partners in the region.”
He stated that the damage to the substations was not caused by a firearm, but he did not elaborate.
The sheriff’s department requested on social media on Tuesday that anyone who has surveillance video at their home or business review it.
The FBI’s Seattle office confirmed that it was aware of the reports but did not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
“We routinely share information with our local partners and take threats against our infrastructure seriously. We urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement,” the FBI said in an email.
Power has been restored, according to officials.
According to Tacoma Power, its substations “were deliberately targeted with physical damage.”
The four substations were located in the neighbourhoods of Spanaway, Graham, South Hill, and Kapowsin.
The first incident occurred around 5 a.m., and the last, which involved a fire caused by vandalism at the Kapowsin station, occurred around 7:30 p.m., according to the sheriff’s department.
Thousands of people in North Carolina lost power in early December after someone shot two substations, severely damaging equipment, officials said. The FBI said it had joined the investigation into the “willful damage” incidents.
