Copper thieves broke into a power substation in rural Collier Township for the second time in less than four months and stole metal wiring from the facility.

Duquesne Light reported that nearly $1,000 worth of copper metal wiring was stolen from the substation located on Fort Pitt Road in a rural part of the township.

Investigators think the thieves broke into the facility by cutting through a chainlink  fence in the early hours of Sept. 16.

Collier police tried reviewing surveillance video at the scene, but the thieves apparently put a plastic shopping bag over the camera.

Police also received a report of the fence at the substation being cut on Sept. 6.

Thieves targeted the same substation in May and stole more than $1,000 of metal wiring. Investigators did not say if the two thefts are related.

If you have any information on the copper thefts, contact the Collier Township Police Department at 412-276-5051.

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