Suspected copper wire thief gets severe electric shock

DAGGETT — A man was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Hospital Tuesday morning to be treated for severe electrical burns that deputies believe he received while trying to steal copper wire from a power plant.

A resident of the El Rancho Trailer Park in Daggett called 911 at about 1 a.m. to report an injured man had banged on the door asking for help, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office report.

The man was reportedly “yelling hysterically, saying he needed help, bleeding from his head and had injuries consistent with being shocked,” Det. Anthony Padfield with the Barstow Station said. The man’s name is not being released as he has not yet been arrested or charged with a crime.

A Daggett Volunteer Fire Department report confirmed that the man had injuries to his hands, right ear drum damage and second and third degree burns consistent with electric shock injuries. He was conscious and walking when emergency personnel arrived, according to the report.

Around the same time, Padfield said Southern California Edison received several reports of power outages in the Daggett area. Daggett Community Services District secretary/treasurer Beryl Bell said power was down in most of Daggett between about 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Deputies went to Edison’s Daggett substation off National Trails Highway to investigate and found freshly cut wires and blood on the ground, Padfield said. Edison officials estimated the damages at $5,000 to $10,000, he said, and 207 customers went without power between 3 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. while the repairs were being made.

Edison public affairs regional manager Nancy Jackson could not be reached for comment.

Padfield said deputies attempted to interview the injured man in the hospital later in the day on Tuesday, but he was too heavily sedated to give them any information. The man has not been arrested due to the extent of his injuries and because deputies are still collecting evidence, Padfield said, but he is suspected of attempted grand theft.

To report information about this or other crimes, call the Barstow sheriff’s station at 256-4838. To remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WeTip Web site at www.wetip.com.

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