Thieves Steal Transformers from Power Poles for Copper

Police hunt thieves who climb electrical poles, remove transformers, and strip them for copper wire sales, causing over 300,000 baht in damage and widespread power outages. On August 4, 2569, Suteep Somjai, subdistrict chief of Bang Dueai in Muang Pathum Thani District, inspected a stolen 50kva transformer that had been removed from an electrical pole, stripped of copper, and abandoned in a rice field near Bang Dueai Sub-soi Road in Muang Pathum Thani District. Suteep disclosed that the theft of transformer equipment valued over 300,000 baht caused widespread blackouts and darkened streets. The thieves dismantled the entire transformer and extracted all internal copper, leaving only bolts and valueless components. Evidence at the pole shows the criminals used knock pegs to climb up, cut electrical fuses and power lines, and removed the meter and other devices. Some fuses were already detached with others prepared for removal, but the operation was likely interrupted by passing traffic. Suteep stated that because the transformer falls under the Department of Rural Roads' responsibility, coordination was made with authorities and Muang Pathum Thani Police to investigate and track the suspects. Rural Roads officials confirmed the damaged equipment is part of streetlighting for Road 3021 Rajapruek Line, with losses exceeding 300,000 baht and a complaint filed at Muang Pathum Thani Police Station. Multiple other locations have also been targeted. Officials are urging police to expand investigations to identify scrap metal dealers purchasing these stolen items for prosecution. Without eliminating buyer outlets, criminals will continue their spree, repeatedly harming residents. Frequent power outages endanger nighttime travelers, and without urgent preventive measures, another partially stripped transformer will certainly be stolen very soon.