UPDATE: Oxford Man Charged With Trying to Steal CL&P Generator

This story, originally published last week, was updated on Sept. 6 to add the man's name and the charges against him.

The temptation of possibly getting electricity back at his home a little earlier than expected, or possibly make a few bucks, was just too much for a local man to resist.

Police said Richard Filo, 56, of Oxford, last week saw a large AT&T generator chained to a utility pole near Old State Road No. 67 and Seth Den Road; Filo tried to steal it by cutting the attached chain with a bolt cutters. Connecticut Light & Power used generators to keep electricity running while the power was out for most residents last.

Passersby called police during the nighttime burglary attempt, police said. A state trooper on patrol responded and caught Filo in the act; the trooper also found bolt cutters and a cut chain in Filo's possession, police said, adding that Filo admitted to trying to steal the roughlyu $3,500 generator.

Police said Filo lives on Old State Road near the location where the generator was located. He was arrested for fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny and given a summons to appear at Derby Superior Court on Sept. 12 after posting a $2,500 bond, police said.

“We advise people who have generators to make sure they chain it up well in a safe location,” said Oxford Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who will try to steal them.”