The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person or group who tried to destroy an electrical substation in Southern California.
The incident occurred Aug. 20, 2023, when an unknown suspect or group shot a transformer and turned off various circuit breakers at the Southern California Edison electrical substation in Torrance, California.
While no one was injured, a significant amount of property was damaged, according to an April 2 news release by the FBI’s Los Angeles office.
Authorities warned, in the release, that tampering with electrical equipment is a felony as is possibly damaging interstate transmission lines.
“Vandalizing or destroying electrical equipment can cause power outages, require costly repairs, and lead to serious physical injury or death,” the news release said.
Authorities described a male suspect who was caught on nearby security cameras at the time of the incident wearing a tan overcoat with a hood, black pants, and boots.
Information provided to the FBI will be kept confidential and tips may be made anonymously, authorities said.
Tips may be submitted to the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI, via a local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or online at tips.fbi.gov.