PGE offers $5,000 reward for Crook County power line vandals

Portland General Electric is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who shot the insulators on a 500 kilovolt power line off Millican Road late last month.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office got a report on Aug. 25 of vandalism involving Portland General Electric’s 500-KV power lines in the area off Millican and Stearns roads, near towers 24-3 and 24-4, Sgt. Travis Jurgens said in a news release Tuesday.

During the investigation, Jurgens said it was determined someone shot the insulators that support the power transmission lines on the towers.

“This incident created a substantial danger to those in the vicinity, resulted in the need for extremely expensive repairs, and eventually could restrict access to and use of these areas,” the sergeant added.

Under Oregon Law, such damage done to a public utility is a felony crime.

PGE has established a reward of up to $5,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those persons responsible for the damage.

The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in identifying those responsible for this act of vandalism.

If you have any information regarding people who may have been in the area on August 25th around 6:00 pm – 6:40 pm or who is responsible for the damage, is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 541-447-6398.

Jurgens said “other law enforcement partners” are working with the sheriff’s office, which is leading the investigation, and PGE.