PORTLAND, Mich. — A mid-Michigan electric cooperative needs your help finding a trigger-happy vandal that caused more than $250,000 in damage and power outages over the past year.
Since May 2023, someone has been using HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative electric system equipment for target practice.
The co-op said there have been 14 separate incidents of gunshot damage to transformers and regulators. The vandals targeted equipment in Clinton, Eaton and Ionia Counties, causing power outages for members.
“Intentionally damaging electric infrastructure is a serious felony offense,” HomeWorks CEO Chris O’Neill said. “Providing safe and reliable electricity to our members is our top priority, and we take anything that disrupts our ability to do that very seriously. We are working with the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies to put a stop to these repeated crimes as soon and as safely as possible.”
There's a $10,000 reward for anyone who can help them bring those responsible to justice.
The co-op asks residents if they hear gunshots in the overnight hours to immediately report it via their county's central dispatch non-emergency line.
If you have information that could help track down the perpetrators, you can call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP.
HomeWorks is a non-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Portland. It serves about 23,000 members in 13 counties across rural mid-Michigan.
Here's a map of the damaged equipment:
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