BY DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Grand Bahama Power Company has filed a police complaint against a prominent family over the suspected theft of electricity by several fast food businesses.
The Tribune understands that a certified electrician is in custody assisting police with their investigations into the alleged theft, which reportedly poses a substantial monetary loss to the power supplier.
GBPC has reportedly discontinued supply to three Burger King restaurants, three KFCs restaurants, and the Pollo Tropical restaurant, owned by well-known businessman Rev Dr Havard Cooper, his children and their family.
In a press statement on Friday, the power company said it uncovered a series of suspected electricity diversions during meter audits at a number of businesses in the Freeport area.
"As per our established protocols," the GBPC statement read, "we have taken immediate steps to isolate those customers from our electrical grid and formally lodged a complaint of suspected theft to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The RBPF has officially launched an investigation and to our knowledge persons are assisting the police in this matter.
The statement continued: "At this time it is unclear the number of GBPC customers involved, but there is evidence that other businesses and residential locations are also utilizing this practice and we are working with the RBPF to further assess this matter."
"At this time, our primary concern is the serious safety risk these diversions pose to the public and GBPC employees and the need to regularize these businesses."
The Tribune contacted Doris Minette (Holding) Enterprises Ltd, the parent company for the fast food chain restaurants, but was told that no one was available for comment.
Superintendent Walter Henderson confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into alleged electricity theft.
"The Central Detective Unit is still conducting investigations into the matter and are tying some loose ends," Supt Henderson said on Friday.
"And as soon as they are completed we will be issuing an official (press) release."
Comments
rawbahamian 5 years, 8 months ago
I certainly hope that if the allegations are found to be authentic then the petpatrators bank accounts are cleaned out by government and ALL ASSETS seized!!!
pingmydling 5 years, 8 months ago
i guess what goes around comes around. The utility companies have been screwing us Joe Public for years.
hrysippus 5 years, 8 months ago
what a truly ignorant comment. how exactly does this joker think the utility companies have been screwing the public. They may have given a lousy service but that is a different thing.
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 8 months ago
Charging us a surcharge to cover costs of their upgrades is screwing us. Charging us exorbitant rates plus a fuel surcharge is screwing us. I could go on and on....
DDK 5 years, 8 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
The_Oracle 5 years, 8 months ago
Unfortunately these business and residences are in some cases unwitting thieves of power, having been promised great bill savings with the installation of certain equipment, claimed to reduce your bill. The equipment, sold at greatly inflated prices do nothing to reduce power consumption, bypassing the meter reduces the measured consumption. This pitch has come through the Bahamas in waves for at least the last 40 years. Snake oil salesmen do best when times are tough. Unfortunately the consumer gets hit with the arrears or estimated amount stolen because they did indeed consume the unmetered power. The electricians scamming people aught to lose their licenses and be prosecuted. Aside the theft aspect, the equipment installed is usually hidden in attics, and poses a serious fire risk to the home or business.
Clamshell 5 years, 8 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
boopboop 5 years, 8 months ago
This story lacks clarity as to how they arrived at the accusation of theft. Is it because they are using generators instead of Freeport powers source? Is that against the law? Or did the electrician run a wire to the establishment after the power company cut the electricity off? Mr/Ms editor please clear this up. Thanks.
pingmydling 5 years, 8 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Clamshell 5 years, 8 months ago
Wow ... somebody has some pull, as nothing I posted violated any usage agreement. Apparently it was an opinion that was unpopular with “da powers dat be.”
pingmydling 5 years, 8 months ago
I'm with you Clamshell. Looks like we ran into the Joseph Goebbels amateur Tribune school of journalism. Seig Heil to the Tribune Fuhrer. Whicn dogma were you swearing against? No man or every man? Ha. (shall I save you some trouble and remove this myself) Washington Post ----- "Freedom dies in darkness".
Clamshell 5 years, 8 months ago
The Tribune should expend as much effort in writing and editing clear, complete and accurate stories as it does in censoring comments.
pingmydling 5 years, 8 months ago
Amen!!
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