Stolen Bucket Truck Causes LI Power Outage

John Mitty Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Residents in Elmont who are wondering why the power has gone out may be surprised to learn the outage is the direct consequence of a truck theft.  Transit worker Joel Grasmann, 53, an Elmont resident, stole a bucket truck and welding equipment from an MTA yard in Queens, and then proceeded to drive very poorly in his stolen vehicle.  While driving with the boom extended along Meacham Ave., Grasmann knocked over power lines, utility poles, traffic lights and trees.  He abandoned the vehicle, and was arrested while he was walking back to his house.  The reasons for the theft and abandonment of the bucket truck are both unclear as of this point.

Police are also unsure as to whether the bucket was extended on purpose with malicious intent to cause damage or not.  Grasmann has a number of crimes already on his record, including a couple charges of theft and a DWI.  As a result of his escapade, 6,000 Long Island residents and businesses went without power.  For some customers, power may remain out for several days before everything is fixed. Meacham Ave. is also still closed between Hempstead Turnpike and Dutch Broadway while road workers make repairs and replacements.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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