By Angela Marshall
Two striking Verizon workers got the surprize of their lives when in an attempt to cut Baldiwn's phone lines one of them cut an electric cable instead. Barely escaping electrocution, the pair headed to the hospital with second- and-third-degree burns and were later arrested. Both were on strike from the phone company at the time of the incident, police said.
Joseph Hertzel, 26, and Joanne Pinder, 33, of Parkway Drive in Baldwin, were charged with Criminal Tampering in the first degree and Criminal Mischief in the second degree. They were arraigned at Nassau County Medical Center, on Friday, August 18.
Originally denying the charges, Mr. Hertzel told hospital workers that he had stopped to "relieve himself" at the side of the road, accidentally hitting the wires, when the injuries occurred, according to Det. Captain Richard McGuire.
Residents on Harrison Avenue reported an explosion at approximately 1:25 A.M. Thursday morning, some calling it a possible car accident. When police responded to the scene, they found a burnt T-shirt and a damaged pair of pruning shears suggesting that someone had been electrocuted, the detective said.
According to police, Mr. Hertzel mistook the electric cable for a phone line and was only saved by the placement of the cutter. One side straddled the cable's plastic outer coating and sent the majority of the line's 13,000 volts up the pole instead of into his body. The blade that touched the wire completely disintegrated.
Neither subject is a line repairman. "Both are Verizon field technicians," the detective said. "They go into houses to fix telephones."
The blast allegedly knocked Mr. Hertzel to the ground and burned much of the right side of his body. Ms. Pinder is reported to have received burns to her legs during an attempt to help her boyfriend. Mr. Hertzel's jeep was also damaged.
Despite their injuries, the couple was able to drive to South Nassau Community Hospital. They were later transferred to the medical center where they were arraigned.
"We're taking this very seriously," Det. Capt. McGuire said.
Approximately 26,000 homes were left without power for fifteen minutes but the phone lines remained intact. However, less then 24-hours later another attempt was made to cut Baldwin's phone lines - this time with success. Approximately 200 customers lost phone use when an unknown person cut a trunk line at the corner of Merrick Road and Central Avenue on Thursday, August 17. Damages are estimated at approximately $8,000.
First Precinct officers canvassed the area checking for emergencies and providing cell phones to those who requested.
In the weeks since approximately 85,000 Verizon workers went out on strike, Sunday, August 6, there have been more than 30 instances of criminal mischief involving phone lines or other equipment, according to police.
"Our main concern in these incidents is that telephone service be repaired as quick as possible," said John Bonomo, a Verizon spokesman. "It creates a public safety risk. We take it very seriously."
The company has placed a reward of up to $25,000 for residents who provide information leading to an arrest for vandalism.
