KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says that arrests for electricity theft in Jamaica since January 2014 have passed the 500 mark, reaching a total of 514 to July 3.
According to the JPS, the arrests come in the wake of island wide operations, and audits to reduce the illegal abstraction of electricity.
JPS said it has also intensified its focus on commercial entities, with the company’s efforts most recently resulting in the arrests of two barbers/businessmen — one operating at a plaza on Constant Spring Road and the other at a plaza in Liguanea, St Andrew.
The power supply company said that it has also uncovered three cases of theft at large residences in the Corporate Area, including an apartment building. A line tap and direct connections were discovered at these locations.
The line tap was discovered at a house in the Red Hills Road area, while the apartment building, which benefited from a direct connection, is located in Vineyard Town. Arrests were made in both instances, the JPS said.
The illegal connections were apparently in place for extended periods ranging from six months to a year, accounting for approximately $2.9 million in power usage, the JPS added.
