Nahant man in court for stealing electricity

NAHANT-A Nahant resident who allegedly stole $80,000 in electrical services from National Grid, will be back in court later this month.Essex County District Attorney’s Office Spokesman Steve O’Connell said Michael Caprio, 85, 46 Spring Road is scheduled for a status hearing on Dec. 14.A criminal complaint was lodged against Caprio in Lynn District Court in May for tampering with an electrical meter and larceny over $250.Nahant Police Department Spokesman Lt. Thomas Hutton said the meter had been bypassed and the electric company reported it to police. He said an analysis conducted by the National Grid accounting department concluded approximately $80,000 in electrical services were stolen over a 20-year period by Caprio.According to one source close to the case, a deal was reached that, if accepted by the court, would allow Caprio to pay $80,000 to National Grid and he would not receive any jail time.According to Hutton, Caprio was charged after a search warrant, issued in Lynn District Court on May 15, was executed.Hutton said he executed the search warrant along with Officer Keith O’Brien and a representative from National Grid.According to police reports, evidence was recovered at the scene that shows the equipment was tampered with.Hutton said based on information obtained during the search, a criminal complaint was lodged in Lynn District Court.