Police: Worker stole 11,000 pounds of copper wire from Dover power plant

A Delaware man is accused of stealing nearly 11,000 pounds of copper wire from a power plant owned by the City of Dover Electric Department.

Police said 46-year-old Michael Shane Sr., of Clayton, is an employee of North American Energy Services, which is contracted by the city to operate the McKee Run Generating Station.

Shane Sr. allegedly stole about 1,000 feet of heavy-duty, high-voltage copper wire from a warehouse at the McKee Run plant between November 2012 and this past July. Police said he sold the wire at the Dover Scrap Metal yard for $30,000.

Shane Sr. was arrested after authorities found evidence at his former home linking him to the crime, according to investigators.

He was arraigned on a charge of theft and released after posting $5,000 unsecured bond.