15 facing criminal charges for trespassing at the old Montaup Power property in Somerset

Somerset Chief of Police William Tedford states that during the month of September, 15 people have been charged with various crimes including trespassing after they were located and detained by SPD officers.

The department has responded to the property multiple times over the past two months after neighbors and the property manager noticed people sneaking onto the property.

Most of those detained and charged were from surrounding communities but a few were from out of state and had come to the property to climb the smokestacks and take video for a social media challenge.

The names of the suspects were not released.

The Somerset Police want to warn the public about the dangers at the long-closed property that has not been maintained or repaired since it closed in 2008. Over the years, officers have found unsafe conditions such as holes in floors and broken structures which could collapse on an unsuspecting person. Officers are concerned someone trespassing may be seriously hurt and want everyone to stay off the property.