January 29, 2015
Massachusetts

Adams man sentenced to 2 to 5 years for role in copper theft from Berkshires wind farm

By Patrick Johnson | January 29, 2015 | www.masslive.com

An Adams man who in 2013 was one of seven people arrested in connection with a $38,000 copper theft from a wind farm project in the town of Florida was sentenced Thursday to up to 5 years in state prison for his role in the crime, according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless.

Mark A. Bednarz, 48, was given a sentence of 2 to 5 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Cedar Junction by Judge John Agostin. Bednarz had pleaded guilty to four counts of receiving stolen property valued at more than $250, and a single count of wanton destruction of property.

Bednarz was one of six people arrested in November 2013 in connection with a break in to the Iberdrola Renewables windmill farm project. The wind farm with 19 340-foot tall turbines on Crum Hill in Monroe and on Bakke Mountain in Florida generates electricity for NSTAR.

According to police, thieves tunneled under a security fence and stole an estimated $38,000 in 1-inch thick, 100-watt copper wire designed especially for the wind turbines. The theft occurred between Oct. 12 and Nov. 8, 2013.

Police tracked down the suspects after they tried to sell the copper at local scrap metal dealers.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/29/adams-man-sentenced-to-2-to-5-years-for-role-in-copper-theft-from-berkshires-wind-farm/