Maine State Police say they have arrested a Wales man who is charged with stealing large amounts of electricity from Central Maine Power Co. for his home.

In a news release posted Tuesday on their Facebook page, state police said Trooper Tyler Plourde charged Nicholas Gagne, 36, with theft of services.

Police say an investigation revealed that Gagne was climbing up the power pole outside his home and connecting jumper cable clamps to the transformer. Gagne then ran a line from the transformer to the ground and to his house.

Plourde said CMP knew what Gagne was doing and went to his home twice to disconnect the power, but Gagne kept reconnecting it. Finally, CMP contacted police and asked for an escort to his house.

“The CMP official was impressed with the ingenuity, but told Plourde that it was wildly dangerous for risk of electrocution to Gagne and those around the pole, as well as a significant fire danger. It also posed a serious risk to the CMP workers when working on the lines,” the press release said.

State police said CMP estimated that Gagne stole power valued at more than $3,000. Plourde said Gagne told him that he had been stealing electricity.

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com


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