Published: March 14, 2008 10:29 pm      

Police probe theft of $2,000 in fuses

DAVIDSVILLE — Conemaugh Township police are searching for thieves who stole $2,000 in fuses – presumably for their copper – from a mining company pump station near Tire Hill.

The lock on the pumphouse, situated in a remote location on Blough Road, was cut between midnight Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday, police Sgt. Vincent Zangaglia said.

Pump station manager Robert Rucosky told police the bandits made off with four fuses, each a foot to 18 inches long and 5 inches around. The fuses are valued at $500 each.

They also cut copper wire, perhaps to come back later and take it, Zangaglia said.

Water flows from Bird Mine No. 2 to a treatment plant and then to the pumphouse, where it is pumped into Soap Hollow Run, which empties into the Stonycreek River.

Bird Mine is owned by Miller Springs, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, an international oil and gas exploration company. Warrior Services is contracted to operate the pump station.

The pump station operates with a 4,000-volt electrical system.

Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to contact Conemaugh Township police at 288-1400.