Francisco Aurélio, a 46-year-old man, was arrested on Monday, October 16, on suspicion of attempting to steal cables from the Equatorial substation in Floriano, located in southern Piauí. The arrest was made by the Civil Police, who noted that Aurélio had already been under investigation for previous thefts at the site and had an active preventive arrest warrant against him. His criminal history suggests a pattern of theft targeting the substation, raising concerns about the security and integrity of energy supplies in the region.

The local authorities highlighted that Aurélio had not only attempted to steal but was involved in several thefts over time, including a significant incident earlier this year where he allegedly stole around 30 kilograms of copper wire. This particular crime also led to the forced entry into the battery room and disconnection of high-voltage breakers, which posed a serious threat to power supply in the micro-region encompassing Floriano, Nazaré, and Vale do Gurgueia, increasing the risk of blackouts in these areas.

The preventive arrest warrant for Aurélio was issued less than a week prior to his capture, illustrating the ongoing issue of power theft and its implications for energy stability in Piauí. As investigations continue, it underscores the need for more effective measures to protect critical infrastructure from theft and vandalism, which can have widespread repercussions for residents.