SoCal Edison Substation Burglary Investigation Leaves Thousands Without Power

Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles County, CA: A massive power outage affected at least four cities, all stemming from a burglary investigation at a SoCal Edison substation in the city of Santa Fe Springs.

The power outage was reported by multiple residents living in South Whittier, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and La Mirada shortly after 12:11 a.m. Sunday, May 21.

Reports of power outages stemmed from Carmenita and the 5 Freeway in Santa Fe Springs; to Imperial Highway and Civic Center Drive in Norwalk; up to Leffingwell Road and Valley View Avenue in South Whittier; to Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada.

SoCal Edison outage maps showed at least 10,000 homes were affected by the power outage.

Around the same time, Whittier Police surrounded an Edison substation located on the 14100 block of Carmenita Road in Santa Fe Springs, in regards to a possible burglary that had just occurred.

According to Watch Commander Lt. Reed of the Whittier Police Department, police responded to investigate a burglary at the substation. The loss could not be confirmed, however, the Lieutenant could confirm that the police activity and burglary investigation was directly tied to the power outage.

Some power was restored to some areas, however, reports indicated that full power restoration may not be completed until at least 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

Key News Network video also shows multiple close calls with vehicles blowing through busy blacked out intersections at Rosecrans Avenue and Carmenita Road, and at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard.

Nathan Holguin, Video Journalist / KNN