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– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo of the crime scene
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART TOWNSHIP — The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a break-in that occurred at a solar development site on 88th Avenue, and the construction company victimized by the break-in is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the crime.
“This incident was reported to us on Nov. 3 early in the morning at the Hart solar project at 2484 N. 88th Avenue in Hart Township in Oceana County,” said
– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo of the crime scene. The contents of this tool case were stolen in the break-in.
Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “Deputies were dispatched out there and met with the site management who said that they had suffered an extensive break-in with the larceny of multiple power tools well in excess of $15,000.” The tools are Milwaukee brand.
The intruder or intruders broke into locked sheds and work trailers. “There were fences cut and locks cut,” said
– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo of the crime scene
Sheriff Mast. “They used a cutting tool of some sort.”
Surveillance footage may be helpful in the investigation. “They had surveillance cameras, and we’re still working on that,” said the sheriff.
“The company, Barton & Malow, has offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for this.”
Hart Solar is currently under construction with commercial operation anticipated in 2026. It is a project through NorthStar Clean Energy project, which is a subsidiary of CME Energy.
If anyone has information about the crime, they are asked to call the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office at (231) 873-2121 and ask to speak to a detective who is working on the Hart Solar break-in case.
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