Thousands lose power for 6 hours when men steal energy equipment, NC cops say

Two men have been arrested after being accused of stealing energy equipment, leaving thousands without power, North Carolina authorities said.

On Sept. 22, Guilford County deputies executed a search warrant at two Whitsett homes which led to the arrest of 45-year-old Kenneth Lee Gregory and 47-year-old Brian Keith Gerner, according to a Sept. 23 Facebook post by the sheriff’s office.

Gregory and Gerner are accused in multiple thefts of Duke Energy equipment, causing around $1 million worth of damages, deputies said.

One of the thefts caused 5,600 residents to lose power for six hours, the sheriff’s office said.

The pair cut down deenergized power poles, stole “valuable materials” from them and then sold the materials, the Winston-Salem Journal reported, citing arrest warrants.

Gregory and Gerner were arrested and charged with felony counts of injury to an energy facility and felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense, deputies said.

Gerner posted his bail and has since been released, authorities said.

Gregory remains in custody as of Sept. 23 and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 28, deputies said.

A warrant has been obtained for another individual who was not in custody as of Sept. 23, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 336-641-2690.

Whitsett is about a 65-mile drive northwest from Raleigh.