Somebody mentioned something about this on here (maybe it was audioguru) a few months ago, and since then I've seen dozens of pages on the web relating this odd phenomena from all over the world.
Still can't quite get a handle on what's going on. In some places apparently there are so many people that steal power from utility lines that the power company can't survive. Apparently the local gendarme is completely useless, or on the take, or doesn't even exist - and people that live there think that's just terrific: no cops, no law, steal anything and everything.
The gas-powered generator would make sense - but if you've got one, apparently you make money off it charging the batteries and selling them. Also, you have to guard the generator night and day or someone will steal it.
Seems to be a world where you have to chain the hood on your car down or they will steal engine parts, people constantly get kidnapped for ransom, gangs shake down merchants for "protection money", people steal everything including the copper wire in your house.
Why? This is the part I can't understand. Is it because of a society that glorifys the criminal?