Copper wire heist at St. Louis substation
Florissant man has been charged after $80,000 in damage from overnight copper wire theft at Ameren substation in St. Louis.
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USA, Missouri, St. Louis: A 35-year-old man from Florissant appeared in court on 6 May 2025 following his arrest for a copper theft that caused extensive damage to an Ameren power facility.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police, the incident took place in the early hours of 5 May at the Midtown Power Substation on South Spring Avenue. Officers responded to a report around 3:50 a.m. of three individuals cutting copper wiring and loading it into a pickup truck.
When police arrived at the scene, they discovered a black pickup truck containing multiple steel panels, cable cords, and stripped copper wires. One of the suspects, identified as Buck M. Wheelehan, was found hiding on the passenger-side floorboard.
An Ameren Missouri representative later assessed the damage at approximately $80,000. The theft disrupted critical infrastructure and prompted a swift response from law enforcement.
Wheelehan was charged by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office with first-degree property damage and stealing property valued at $750 or more. He is currently being held without bond.
The other two suspects reportedly involved in the incident have not yet been located. The case highlights the costly and dangerous consequences of targeting utility infrastructure for scrap metal.
Source: Fox 2 now
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