Power Line Over River in Binghamton Targeted by Copper Thieves

Binghamton police are working to determine who tried to steal a long copper power line that crossed the Susquehanna River.

WIVT News 34 reported a thick braided cable that had been suspended over the river between Front Street and Conklin Avenue had dropped in the river.

The issue was discovered Monday night. According to a NYSEG spokesperson, someone cut down a utility pole on a riverbank.

No electricity service was affect because the line was no longer in service.

On the south side of the river, there were signs that someone was in the process of chopping down another utility pole.

NYSEG crews, along with the state Department of Environmental Conservation spill response unit and representatives of LCP Group of Vestal, assessed the situation from the north side of the river on Tuesday afternoon.

City police reported no arrests in connection with the attempted larceny.

NYSEG provided this statement to WNBF News about the attempt to steal the copper line.

A power line spanning the Susquehanna River was affected when someone cut down our pole on the shore. We are working with officials to retrieve the line, which was no longer in service nor energized. Tampering with such electrical equipment is both dangerous and illegal. You cannot determine whether a line is energized by looking at it, and we caution people to stay at least thirty feet away from wires to maintain their safety.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A view of the south side of the Susquehanna River after someone tried to steal a NYSEG power line.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.