Monday (July 3), Morganton Public Safety Police Officers were dispatched to an electrical substation on West Parker Road in reference to damage to property and larceny. The structure is owned by the City of Morganton.

City of Morganton Electric employees determined that copper wire had been cut and stolen from the substation, causing significant damage. During the investigation, Officers learned that an adjacent electrical substation owned by Duke Energy had been damaged in a similar fashion. The estimated cost to repair the damage to both substations is $40,000.

In the course of the investigation, video and photographic surveillance was gathered at the scene. Several images were posted on Morganton Public Safety’s Facebook page. A suspect was identified as 57-year-old Terry Pittman of Gant Street in Morganton.

Felony warrants have been issued for Pittman’s arrest. He faces charges for cutting, mutilating, defacing, or otherwise injuring property to obtain nonferrous metals.

The public is urged to report any suspicious activity in or around substations. City Electric Department employees will have city vehicles displaying the City of Morganton logo and will wear uniforms and hard hats. Contact Public Safety at 828-437-1211 to report any suspicious activity.