Teen charged with vandalism

WILLIAMSON, W.Va.- A Mingo County teenager faces charges in connection with the vandalism of a transformer that left nearly 5,000 customers without electricity for almost 24 hours.

West Virginia State Police charged 18-year-old Steven Spry of Verdunville on Monday with giving false information to an officer during the investigation.

American Electric Power has said someone shot a transformer in Dingess. Replacing the equipment cost about $1 million.

The shooting was among 20 acts of vandalism since Oct. 6 that targeted AEP equipment.

AEP is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.