FBI arrests 2 in alleged attempt to attack Baltimore power grid, 'lay this city to waste'

The FBI has captured two people, whom the agency describes as "racially or ethnically motivated" extremists, before they could attack Baltimore's power grid, officials said Monday.

The suspects were taken into custody last week, one in Maryland and the other in Florida, according to NBC News.

Attacks on the power grids in the U.S. emerged in December 2022.

First there was the shootings at two electrical substations in North Carolina in early December, which was followed by attacks at four electricity substations on Christmas weekend near Tacoma, Washington, NBC also reports.

CBS News has identified one of those in custody as Brandon Russell, an alleged neo-Nazi leader from Orlando, Florida. 

The FBI says it has a recording of the other suspect, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, telling an informant about the attack, "It would lay this city to waste."