Man found dead behind Nova Scotia Power substation in Stellarton
Police believe a man who was found dead behind a Nova Scotia Power substation in Stellarton, N.S., was trying to steal copper wire.
Stellarton Police Chief Mark Hobeck told CTV News there was a power outage in the area around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
When Nova Scotia Power employees went to the substation on North Foord Street to investigate, police say they found a man’s body at the scene.
They reported the incident to police around 8 a.m.
No details about the man have been released at this time. Police say they are still working to confirm his identity.
Hobeck says police are investigating the incident as an attempted theft of copper wire and are working with Nova Scotia Power.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased at this very difficult time,” said Dave Pickles, chief operating officer for Nova Scotia Power, in a statement.
“Unfortunately, this is a grave reminder of just how dangerous the theft of copper wire can be. We are cooperating fully with the Stellarton Police as they investigate this devastating situation.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or video from the area to call 902-752-6160 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
INCIDENT CAUSES POWER OUTAGE
More than 4,000 customers in Pictou County were without power for about an hour Tuesday afternoon, with “damage to overhead equipment” cited as the cause.
Power was restored to the area around 1:30 p.m.
DANGERS OF COPPER WIRE THEFT
Meanwhile, police are warning of the dangers associated with copper wire theft.
Police say attempts to steal copper wire can lead to serious injury or death, and can put the public at risk.
Live wire can carry more than 25,000 volts of electricity, so there is a high risk of electrocution, according to police.
They also note that stealing copper wire can lead to power outages, affect service, and create dangerous working conditions for crews.
Nova Scotia Power said in October that the utility had seen an increase in thefts from its electrical equipment and substations in 2022, with dozens of incidents reported across the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING | Budget 2023 prioritizes pocketbook help and clean economy, deficit projected at $40.1B
In the 2023 federal budget, the government is unveiling continued deficit spending targeted at Canadians' pocketbooks, public health care and the clean economy.

BREAKING | Budget 2023 proposes across-the-board 3 per cent spending cut for government departments
The federal budget proposes an across-the-board three per cent spending cut for all departments and agencies, a belt-tightening move after years of massive growth in the federal public service.
Federal government capping excise tax on alcohol after outcry
The increase in excise duties on all alcoholic products is being temporarily capped at two per cent starting next month instead of a planned six per cent increase.
Projected cost of federal dental program set to more than double: Budget 2023
The federal budget shows the government's proposed dental-care insurance program will cost more than double what the Liberals originally thought, driving it up by another $7.3 billion over five years.
Could Canada soon standardize USB chargers? Feds looking into it, budget says
Tucked into the 2023 federal budget unveiled on Tuesday in Ottawa, the Liberals have announced plans to explore implementing a standard charging port across Canada, in an effort to save Canadians some money and reduce waste.
Ottawa commits consultation money for Indigenous resource sharing in Budget 2023
The federal Liberal government is committing $8.7 million to hold more consultations on Indigenous resource sharing, in a budget that offers relatively little new spending on its reconciliation agenda.
opinion | Amid escalating gun violence in America, the debate over gun control has been silenced
In the wake of another deadly mass shooting in America, that saw children as young as nine years old shot and killed, the gun control debate is going nowhere, writes CTV News political analyst Eric Ham.
Young children, the head of their school and its custodian. These are the victims of the Nashville school shooting
Another American community is reeling after a shooter killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville. These are the three children and three adults whose lives were taken by the shooter.
Nashville police release chilling security camera footage of suspected school shooter
Nashville police have released security camera footage of a suspected shooter entering the private Christian elementary school. The shooting claimed the lives of three children, all aged nine, and three adults.