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Darwin Awards
2006 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Man killed in apparent bid to

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Man killed in apparent bid to steal copper wire STORY TOOLS Email this story | Print By Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News

July 11, 2006 AURORA - A man who police believe was trying to steal copper wiring from a high-voltage transformer was electrocuted late Sunday as rain fell around him.

The man died near the Xcel Energy transformer in the 19600 block of East 64th Avenue. He was not identified Monday.

The transformer carried up to 13,200 volts, an Xcel spokesman said.

"I question this person's thinking," said Sgt. Rudy Herrera, Aurora police spokesman.

The victim, he said, was obviously "not familiar with (the potential) damage from electrical parts when conditions are wet."

A man called 911 about 11 p.m. to report a body near the transformer.

Tools were found Sunday night on the soggy ground near the man's body.

"I've never seen anything like this in my 25 years," Herrera said.

As the price of certain metals, including copper, rise, some people are risking their lives to cash in, according to a copper trade expert.

"I heard of a person who climbed up a telephone pole and cut live wires to get copper," said Ken Geremia, manager of communications for the New York-based Copper Development Association. "But, when the rain is falling, this might be the most stupid."

Transformers are dangerous but tempting targets for copper wire bandits because they can contain thousands of pounds of the material, Geremia said.

"Somebody would just have to strip the wire. It will take some work," he said.

On Monday, copper was selling for $3.55 per pound on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last year, copper was selling below $1.50 per pound on commodity exchanges.

Copper wire taken from a transformer likely would bring about 85 to 90 percent of the current market price, Geremia said.

About eight people have been electrocuted while trying to steal copper in the U.S. in recent years, he said.

Thefts from transformers do not happen often, Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz said.

Stutz said he did not know how much copper wire was in the device apparently targeted by the man who was killed Sunday.

In the metro area, thefts of copper and other metals have surged, Aurora police said.

In April, seven people were arrested while trying to steal copper from an abandoned building at the old Gates Rubber Co. in Denver. Police said they believe that group was part of a 20-person theft ring.

Copper irrigation equipment also has been stolen from Denver area parks in recent months.

doligosaf@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2970

Submitted on 07/11/2006

Submitted by: Tom Hutcherson
Reference: Rocky Mountain News, July, 11

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks, Tom, but even a brief perusal of our archives this past 6 months alone will show just how common (and epidemic) the "zorched wire-thief" phenomenon really is! We DO appreciate the submission, however!


Fitzroy said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
This just happens far too often to be the basis for that many interesting accounts. It is also a repeat. Apart from that though it is otherwise DA-worthy, so many thanks for the submission.


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