Reward offered for information on Tumwater, Oregon City substation attacks
The Seattle and Portland FBI field offices are asking the public for help in identifying the people who vandalized electrical substations in both Tumwater and Oregon City in the Portland area.
The FBI is offering $25,000 for information that would lead to the identification, arrest and conviction of those involved.
According to a news release from the FBI field offices, the Barnes Lake Substation in Tumwater was vandalized Nov. 22 of last year.
Puget Sound Energy found fluid leaking onto the ground after a radiator was punctured multiple times. The substation went offline for several hours, causing more than 5,000 people to lose power. Three 9 mm bullet shell casings were located near the scene, according to the release.
In similar fashion, the Bonneville Power Administration Ostrander substation in Oregon City was damaged Nov. 24 of last year. Investigators found a hole cut in the fence around the substation, as well as bullet holes in several reactors.
Anyone with information about the suspects or incidents is asked to call 800-225-5324. You can also contact your local FBI office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. You can remain anonymous.
FBI Special Agent Richard A. Collodi said interfering or tampering with the power grid can have deadly consequences.
“An attack like this is not just an inconvenience for home and business owners,” he said. “Think of medical facilities or vulnerable people who depend on electricity for their health. It’s our hope that by attaching a reward offer, someone who has that missing piece of information we need may be enticed to come forward.”
This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 7:48 AM.
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