A stolen forklift struck power lines at the corner of Turner and Center streets in Auburn on Saturday evening, knocking out power to about 6,800 Central Maine Power customers in the Lewiston-Auburn area. CMP photo
AUBURN – Local police are investigating a forklift rampage caused by vandals that left about 6,800 people drowning in the dark in the Lewiston-Auburn area on Saturday night, according to police and Central Maine Power.
A person reportedly stole a forklift and drove it into power lines at the corner of Turner and Center streets in Auburn on Saturday evening, cutting off power to approximately 6,800 Central Maine Power customers in the Lewiston-Auburn area. photo
According to Auburn Police Chief Jason Moen, several unknown assailants broke into a construction site at the corner of Turner Street and Center Street and “took a forklift for a spin around the site.”
The vandals extended the forks, which became caught in overhead power lines, Moen said.
CMP spokesman Jonathan Breed said the incident likely caused some dramatic arcing and sparks before the vandals fled the scene. He said the stolen equipment – a type of forklift known as a telehandler – does not belong to CMP.
No one was injured during or after the incident, Moen said.
CMP was able to restore power to about 5,500 customers shortly after the problem was reported, using remote control technology that controlled the grid, Breed said. Crews were then able to de-energize the lines, disconnect them from the forks and boom, and begin repairing the lines. By about 9:30 a.m., repairs were complete and power was restored.
“All in all, the repairs took about six hours,” Breed said. “I have to say the crews did a great job in this really bizarre situation.”
Auburn police continue to investigate the incident, which is described as property damage. Moen did not say whether police have suspects or how many might be involved.
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