EXLINE – For the second time in less than three months, vandalism of electric utility equipment at Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative’s facilities has led to a power outage for the co-op’s member-consumer-owners.

On Monday, Sept. 22, member-consumer-owners near Exline in south central Appanoose County lost power when three electrical transformers south of 25046 250th St. failed after getting hit by bullets suspected to have been fired from a rifle. An Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office report indicated that a .223-caliber rifle casing was found in the area. The report also stated that a nearby resident reported hearing several gun shots and saw an older model light-colored compact car drive away from the area.

In mid-July, electrical transformers in Caldwell Township were damaged by gun shots and members-consumer-owners lost electric service. Jon Miles, general manager, Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, says providing safe and reliable electric service is the co-ops top priority. A substantial reward will be awarded for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for these crimes.

“The Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative’s board of directors and I want to do everything we can to ensure the folks we serve have safe and reliable power, and we ask that anyone having knowledge of either of these incidents contact the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office so the people who committed this crime are held responsible for it.”

Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative provides power to approximately 6,000 consumers living in the city of Albia, and rural parts of Monroe, Appanoose, Wayne, Lucas, Wapello, Davis and Marion counties. The cooperative was organized in 1945 and began providing electric service to rural homes and farms in 1946.