Posted on 01/03/2023 2:41:47 PM PST by grundle
TACOMA, Wash. — Two Puyallup men have been charged in attacks at four Pierce County power substations that left thousands in the dark on Christmas.
Matthew Greenwood, 32, and Jeremy Crahan, 40, are charged with conspiracy to damage energy facilities and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Nick Brown.
The men were arrested on Saturday following an investigation by the FBI.
The four substations that were vandalized were the Graham and Elk Plain substations operated by Tacoma Power and the Kapowsin and Hemlock substations operated by Puget Sound Energy.
Power was cut to more than 14,000 customers. All of the attacks happened in the middle of the night, according to Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss, Jr.
According to court documents, the attacks on the substations were attempts to cover up a burglary at a local business, where Crahan drilled out a lock and Greenwood stole from a cash register.
The damage to the Tacoma Power substations alone is estimated to be at least $3 million.
The men were identified as possible suspects through cellphone records and surveillance video.
At one substation, Tacoma Power recorded images of one man and a pickup truck that appeared to be connected to the attack. A similar truck was found to be connected to the suspects, according to the Justice Department.
In addition, distinctive clothing seen in the surveillance photos was found during a search of the men’s home.
Agents also seized two unregistered short-barreled guns. One of the weapons was equipped with a makeshift silencer.
Both men will appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Tuesday, where prosecutors will ask that the suspects remain detained at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac pending future hearings.
Conspiracy to attack energy facilities is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Possession of an unregistered firearm is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
Low IQs. I knew people 20 years ago who only worked at working “the system” for welfare benefits and lived just fine. Two single moms. They even had a had a nice new motorcycle. It was in their living room due to the neighborhood being a little “active”.
Agents also seized two unregistered short-barreled guns
Excuse me. Un registered guns!
Low IQs, doing things the hard way. I knew people 20 years ago who only worked at working “the system” for welfare benefits and lived just fine. Two single moms were a team, roommates, Section 8, etc. They even had a had a nice new motorcycle. It was in their living room due to the neighborhood being a little “active”.
to rob a cash register... and the other stations?
Agents also seized two unregistered short-barreled guns
Excuse me. Un registered guns!
I wanna see the short barreled rifles. I bet they are AR pistols with braces on them.
That article said the two men were identified as possible suspects through the analysis of cellphone records. I guess you can use cellphone records to prove almost anything but who might have made multiple trips to ballot drop boxes. ;-)
Ruger 1? Single shot falling block rifle.
Who maintains the registry??
ATF as with all NFA items.
Sawed off bolt action shotgun. Bet is was bought at Sears sometime in the 1960s. My grandfather had one like it.
L
Was their calling card “The Electric Bandits”?
Nope, wannabe Hans Gruber.
Yup, short barreled rifles
CONSPIRACY!!??!!
I am told this does not happen and that anyone that believes it can happen is likely a nutter.
Oh snap. These guys are pros. You see the silencer?
Any bets on whether the firearms charges will be dropped for one reason or another through this process? Whereas if you or I got caught with said illegal firearms would serve every minute of the 10 years a conviction calls for.
If found guilty then they should be strung up.
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