Truesee's Daily Wonder

Truesee presents the weird, wild, wacky and world news of the day.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Electrician Accused of Stealing $13,500 in Power

Thu Jan 29, 4:28 pm ET

DERBY, Conn. Derby police say an electrical contractor used his expertise for no good. Andrew Natale, 45, was charged with larceny for allegedly bypassing his home's electricity meter and stealing about $13,500 worth of power dating back to 2003.

Natale posted $2,000 bail and is set to be arraigned Monday in Derby Superior Court. A message was left for Natale at his home Thursday morning.

Authorities said the arrest was the result of an investigation by police and the United Illuminating Co. They say a field worker discovered the problem.

UI spokesman Al Carbone said the illegal bypass was disconnected and reinstalled periodically. He said bypassing meters is dangerous and could cause electrocution or a fire.

The Associated Press

posted by truesee # 3:55 AM

Comments:

An average of $225 per month for 5 years - not too bad.

Bypassing the meter would be dangerous and cause a fire only if that person didn't know what he was doing. Mr. Natale, being an experienced electrician, surely wouldn't risk a fire by making an improper bypass. Scare tactic by UI.

# posted by johnph77 : 6:35 AM

Instead of sentencing Mr. Natale he should be sent to the states that have downed power lines and no electricity because of the recent ice storms. He would be told that he must help to get the power restored. This is an appropriate punishment that he will help those states and families who are in desperate need of electrical workers.

# posted by truesee : 7:35 AM

Truese, have you heard about the 96 year old man who died on his living room floor b/c of no heat or electricty? This happened last week.

# posted by susie545 : 9:11 AM

"He would be told that he must help to get the power restored. "

He would probably be glad to do so and out of spite, set them all up with some free electricity as well!

# posted by truecritic : 12:38 PM

You'd be surprised how many people have done this/are doing this and also re route the natural gas line so they can steal it as well.

# posted by four4me : 2:28 PM

Well, if he is convicted, I'm sure the people of Derby will be delighted to hear it. So he didn't get charged for being charged and now is up on charges. (huh??)
Wire you writing like this, you're probably asking. Well, I rarely plug myself, but I'm ohm now since circuit city was closed and a bulb went off in my head. Hope I don't have to move, since I thought my days of being transient were over, but the current economy is revolting.

Okay, group groan.....

# posted by justxploring : 3:06 PM

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