Man Charged With Cutting Down Power Lines In Lombard: Cops

LOMBARD, IL — A man faces felony charges after he allegedly used a tree trimmer to cut the power lines to multiple homes in unincorporated Lombard. Police say a resident spotted Austin Michalik, 31, of Lombard, snipping power lines near the intersection of Meyers and Roosevelt Roads Tuesday and alerted law enforcement.

Police say they saw Michalik walking down Roosevelt Rd. with a pair of tree trimmers in his hand. Officers then took Michalik into custody and charged him with criminal damage to property. He is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $30,000 bond.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said the alleged incident "posed a public safety threat not only to anyone who may have come across the downed live power lines but also to the homes whose service was disrupted."

Michalik's next court date is set for April 2.

Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office