Three men are now in police custody after an attempted copper wire theft at a Las Vegas energy substation caused a temporary power outage, authorities confirmed.
The Metropolitan Police Department said the suspects had stripped copper wire from multiple breaker boxes at a facility on Procyon Street, near Russell Road and Polaris Avenue. The damage wasn’t just costly—it left a dozen customers without power and may have contributed to disruptions at Harry Reid International Airport.
NV Energy reported that at the peak of the outage, 12 people were affected. Meanwhile, the airport experienced two separate power outages on Monday, which caused delays at security checkpoints. However, the utility provider did not confirm whether the incidents were directly connected to the copper theft.
By Tuesday, officers had tracked down and arrested three men suspected of being behind the crime: 45-year-old Paul Andrews, 41-year-old Chad Shurman, and 29-year-old Branden Henry. The trio was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on suspicion of grand larceny (between $25,000 and $100,000) along with other related charges. Police estimated the total damage and losses at around $30,000.
Copper wire theft has been an ongoing issue in many cities, as thieves target electrical infrastructure to resell the metal for scrap. But the consequences can be severe—not just financially, but for public safety. Power disruptions caused by these kinds of thefts can impact businesses, homes, and critical services.
NV Energy confirmed they were working on repairs Tuesday, replacing the damaged equipment and ensuring the substation was back to full operation.
This incident is a reminder of the real dangers and disruptions caused by metal theft, and authorities are continuing to crack down on these crimes to prevent future outages.