Rising Infrastructure Theft Cause for Alarm in Laos

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One of the accused men demonstrates how he climbed up the power poll to steal the equipment. | Photo credit: Laopost

Vientiane Police managed to detain a wounded man who tried to cut an electric cable in Vientiane’s Hatsaifong District. Local Police in Bolikhamxay also nabbed three men trying to steal essential equipment from a power pole.

A few residents filed a report with the Electricity Service Center in Vientiane’s Hattaifong last week after they heard a loud crack outside their homes and lost their electricity supply. Soon after, they discovered a wounded man lying near the local medical equipment factory.

The victim was electrocuted while attempting to cut the cable for the electronic counter PT-CT before falling to the ground. Gloves, nippers, keys, and boots were also discovered in the vicinity of the crime scene.

After being electrocuted, the accused was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and he would be facing legal charges when he has fully recovered.

On the same day, in Bolikhamxay’s Thaphabaht district, local police in coordination with Division 2 of the Central Transmission System also apprehended three men who attempted to steal bolts and steel from a 115-kilowatt power pole.

During the process, the men caused moderate damage to the power pole, valued at approximately LAK 200 Million (USD 11,476).

As per the law, the men would be held liable for the damage they caused and would have to compensate for the same.

Following two back-to-back incidents, the authorities stated that despite arresting numerous individuals committing such crimes, similar incidents continue to occur frequently.

The police have urged relevant organizations, village administrations, and households to report any suspicious behavior directly to law enforcement officials.