Warrant issued for suspect in electrical substation break-in

On July 3, 2023 Morganton Public Safety police officers were dispatched to 195 West Parker Rd in reference to damage to property and larceny. Officers on scene discovered entry was made into an electrical substation owned by the City of Morganton. City of Morganton electric employees determined that copper wire was cut and stolen from the substation causing significant damage. During the investigation it was determined that an adjacent electrical substation owned by Duke Energy had been damaged in a similar fashion. Video and photographic surveillance was gathered at the scene during the investigation. Several photographs were posted on Morganton Public Safety’s Facebook page to aid in identifying the suspect. During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified as Terry Pittman of 114 Gant St, Morganton. Felony warrants have been issued on Pittman for, cutting, mutilating, defacing, or otherwise injuring property to obtain nonferrous metals. The estimated cost to repair the damage to both electrical substations is $40,000.00. 

The public is urged to report any suspicious activity that they see in or around substations. City of Morganton electric department employees working at substations will have city vehicles with the City of Morganton logo on site and will be in uniforms and hard hats. Please contact Public safety at 828-437-1211 to report any suspicious activity.