COPS: MAN DIES TWO MONTHS AFTER TRYING TO STEAL WIRE

By The Associated Press Updated Tuesday, August 16, 2011

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A Southern Illinois man has died two months after being severely burned while allegedly trying to steal wire from an Ameren electrical substation.

Madison County Sheriff's Department Capt. Brad Wells says 30-year-old Dusty Austin of Alton died Saturday at a hospital.

Austin was found injured June 12 by deputies responding to reports that he was naked and screaming for help near the Alton substation. Authorities say his clothes had been burned or blown off.

Wells said then that Austin had been trying to steal copper electrical wire from the site, although Austin was never charged because of his injuries.

Prosecutors later charged a 32-year-old East Alton man with a felony count of damaging fencing and w ire at the while with Austin during the incident.

Submitted on 08/16/2011

Submitted by: Andrew Peters
Reference: Evansville Courier and Press, 8-16-11

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I would have thought that this would be a followup to an existing crispy copper crook caper but I couldn't find anything in the archives to match this. Thanks, Andrew!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Crispy copper copping crook! Thanks, Andrew!

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