In late March of 2026, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Property Crime Unit began an investigation after receiving a report from MB Hydro regarding a customer’s meter that had been tampered with, resulting in a theft of power.
Through the investigation, it was learned that on March 12, 2026, MB Hydro placed a load limiter on the customer’s hydro meter at her Glenwood neighbourhood residence due to non-payment. The load limiter restricts the resident’s hydro usage to the operation of a furnace during winter months.
On March 25, after the account was paid, a Hydro staff member attended the residence to remove the load limiter. At this time, it was discovered that the meter’s load limiter had been forcibly removed and electrically tampered with, allowing the customer to steal power from March 12 to March 30. The matter was reported to police, and the Property Crime Unit was tasked to investigate.
On April 15, investigators arrested the 46-year-old woman without incident. She faces charges of Mischief Under $5,000 and Theft Under $5,000 and was released on an Appearance Notice to appear in court at a later date.
Diverting or bypassing hydro meters to consume electricity without paying for it is illegal. Due to significant increases of electrical meter tampering and theft incidents over the years, MB Hydro will be forwarding these incidents to the Property Crime Unit who will investigate them thoroughly. The investigations may result in criminal charges that can lead to fines and/or imprisonment.