The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public for information that could help solve two open cases.

According to Escambia County Deputy Justin Hetrick, deputies are investigating a break-in that occurred Thursday afternoon at an Alabama Power substation in Perdido, as well as continuing the search for suspects in a shooting incident from earlier in the week.

Hetrick said reports of a break-in at the substation, located at 309 U.S. Highway 31, led deputies to discover approximately 60 foot of copper wire missing from the structure.

Hetrick said copper theft has been a big problem in Escambia County, as well as many other rural areas, over the last several years, and many people attempt to sell stolen wire and other copper products to scrap yards and other buyers.

In addition, Hetrick said deputies are still working to identify suspects in a shooting that took place Monday morning on Ewing Farm Road. Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said a man, whom authorities have not identified, was admitted to Atmore Community Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds to his leg and arm from small-caliber gun.

Lambert said the victim reported a small, gray truck following him from the PCI Travel Plaza on Jack Springs Road. After the driver of the truck flashed the vehicle’s headlights, the victim pulled over on Ewing Farm Road and exited his vehicle, according to Lambert. The victim reported three shots, two of which struck him, Lambert said.

The injuries were non-life threatening and the victim was treated and released from ACH.

Hetrick said anyone with any information about either crime is encouraged to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at (251) 867-0304; the Atmore office of the ECSD at (251) 368-4779; or the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.