JCP&L Substation Burglarized for Copper

FRANKLIN BOROUGH, NJ – On July, 10, 2015, July 14, 2015, July 17, 2015, July 20, 2015, August 11, 2015, and August 15 employees of JCPL (Jersey Central Power & Light) reported a burglary, theft, and criminal mischief from a lot owned / leased by JCP&L, which was secured from the public and used for business purposes.

Employees further reported damage to the entrance and exit of the substation which is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system for JCP&L (Jersey Central Power & Light) . Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions. Employees and management from JCP&L reported that after forcing entry into the secured lot, an unknown person or persons were forcibly removing various lengths of copper conduits and various pieces of copper valued at thousands of dollars.

After an investigation by the Franklin Borough Police Detective Bureau one suspect has been identified and arrested.

Mr. Russell G. Shaffer, 36, formerly of Franklin currently of Hamburg is alleged to have entered the (Jersey Central Power & Light) JCP&L substation secured lot causing damage to fencing at least six separate times on the dates listed. He is also accused of taking various pieces and lengths of copper and in doing so damaged various pieces of electrical generation equipment, transformers, and various other electrical equipment within the substation. Mr. Shaffer is alleged to have taken thousands of dollars’ worth of copper and caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the sub-station.

Mr. Shaffer was arrested on Clove Road in Wantage NJ on August 18, 2015 at approximately 2:30PM by Franklin Police. He was found to be in possession of an undisclosed amount of heroin, a hypodermic needle, and other drug paraphernalia.

Mr. Shaffer was charged with six counts of burglary, six counts of theft, six counts of criminal mischief, and narcotic offenses. His bail was set at $300,000 with no ten percent option. He was lodged in the Sussex County Jail in lieu of bail.

The complaints that were filed are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The charges may be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.

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