Shocking: Copper Theft Gone Wrong

NBC Bay Area ^ | 10/22/09 | LORI PREUITT

[nickcarraway]

The mean-spirited would call it Darwinism at work. A suspected thief got the shock of his life after apparently trying to steal copper.

The man is in a Northern California burn unit after his alleged robbery attempt when horribly wrong. Police were tipped to the crime by a power outage. Soon after the power went out someone called the Rodeo Fire Department to report a telephone pole fire.

As crews responded to the fire, they noticed a man walking down the street suffering from visible burns.

Investigators with the East Bay Regional Parks District say they think the man was trying to steal copper and accidental cut through a live line.

"In the rural areas of Contra Costa County, there is a theft of copper issue that has surfaced since the recession has begun. I would say it's dangerous and it's also theft," Dave Davidson with the park department.

A helicopter airlifted the victim/suspect to the UC Davis Burn Center. Doctors say he has second and third degree burns.

They hope to get more information after they interview the victim/suspect.

[Darksheare]

Yes, it is shocking when one tries to steal coppers.
They don’t like it when someone tries to pocket them.
They pull out these shiny bracelets and..

Oh, electrical wiring.
Nevermind.

[GSWarrior]

That last pun should put a capper on the copper caper.

[NCC-1701]

“...Will he be charged?...”

He already has been.

[mylife]

Ohm My God!

[tang-soo]

Here in Columbus, there is a church that has a fairly large meal program. About a year ago, they lost about 30 grand worth of food when someone stole about $30 of copper outside the building - resulting in their refrigiration unit to shut down.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

A potential induction to the Darwin hall of fame ?

[Springman]

Note to self, if I ever steal copper, make sure to wear rubber boots!!

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

Will he be charged?

We have a winner!

Regards,
GtG

[mylife]

Thins like this shunt happen.

[mylife]

Or...

“Shunt happens”

[annieokie]

Same kind of robbery in OKC last year, only the robber was electrocuted. Vacant apt. units, stripping out the copper, DIED. His father knew where he was, as he is the one that found him, then it follows he knew what his son was doing. So sad/sarc

[nickcarraway]

Johnny Carson and Jack Webb- Copper Clapper Caper (One of the funniest bits ever on The Tonight Show)

[lwd]

I bet that really hertz

[Slings and Arrows]

Sunnyside Rail Yard

Whoever named that place must have really loved irony.

[Eaker]

Are you both as electrified and shocked by this thread as I am?

[Slings and Arrows]

I’m ec-static!

[AFPhys]

I can’t say I’m really shocked. This type of 0currents really amps me up, though.

[dfwddr]

It always begins at ohm.

[Tainan]

When I was a kid, my Pop & I were setting out on our front porch watching the sky after an electrical storm went through. Lots of static still in the air.
Across the road was a big telephone/electric wire pole that had a guide cable going down to ground it out and steady the pole.
As we watched things, a stray dog came up and hiked his leg on the guide cable. Yup...it was hot and we heard a short 'YELP!' and he did some gyrations and hit the ground smoking.
My Pop looked over at me, I looked at him and he said..."Boy...I hope you remember to always be careful where you pee."

I always have been.

We went out later and got the dog and buried it out back in the field.

[Redcitizen]

That was a weiner roast. Hot dog!