It doesn't explain the time it's taken to get electrical service restored to Green Brook—but it probably didn't help matters, either, when someone cut the fence around a PSE&G substation on Route 22 and stole copper wire.

The theft occurred sometime between Oct. 23 and Oct. 28, according to police, and resulted in wire worth about $2,500 taken.

Police responded to the substation after a PSE&G employee reported the theft.

Adding insult to the injury, someone attempted to burglarize a PSE&G substation on Route 22 in Bridgewater on Nov. 6, also.

Bridgewater police asked for assistance from Green Brook police after the report of someone on the site at 9 p.m. Police did not find anyone there.