Thousands in Maine city lost electricity after vandals tangled stolen forklift in power lines

Nearly 7,000 people lost electricity on Sunday after vandals tangled a stolen forklift in power lines.

The vandals, who haven’t yet been identified, broke into a storage facility at a construction site at the corner of Turner and Center streets, according to the Auburn Police Department.

They took a forklift for a joyride, and when they extended the forks, they became entangled in power lines.

That caused widespread power outages affecting 6,700, according to Central Maine Power.

Power was quickly restored to about 5,500 customers, while another 1,200 waited Sunday for power to be restored as crews disentangled the forklift from the power lines, CMP said.

Auburn police said the subjects remain at large.

The investigation is ongoing.