Couple electrocuted while stealing copper wire

A man was electrocuted and died as he and a female partner tried to steal copper wire from an electrical vault in South Gate on Saturday afternoon, police said.

The woman tried to pull him away from the vault when it caught fire and exploded, but the electricity traveled through her body and she received severe burns, South Gate police spokesman Lt. Keith Huff said. He said she was taken to St. Francis Medical Center and transferred Saturday night to the Grossman Burn Centers.

Two small children were found in a truck 15 feet from the accident but were not injured. They were being held by childrens’ services workers, Huff said.

The electrical vault was on a lot at 3064 Firestone Blvd., at the corner of South Gate Avenue. The lot was the former site of Liberty Cable Company but has been unoccupied for more than a year, Huff said.

He said that the explosion at 4:14 p.m. knocked out power across the west side of South Gate, and that the power was largely restored by the evening.

-- Margot Roosevelt

Comments

[All Hallows Eve]

brutal, and imagine what those poor children witnessed

[corby]

"electrocuted" by definition means to kill by electric shock, the couple was NOT electrocuted.

[Judy]

Gee, did they think about their children when they decided to take what did not belong to them? Please, bleeding hearts, don't tell me they were thinking of their children-they were hungry, they needed the money. If so, there are places they could go to get food. This was greed.

[Shaun Landry]

Shocking.

*this pun brought to you by People With Nothing Better to Do on the Internet

[B Free]

My guess is that she will collect millions because the vault was not locked well enough to keep thieves out. Also, her kids will get a bunch since they don't have a Dad.

[Evelyn]

He was working. Not stealing and he was with his wife.

[joe]

I love it!

[dallasalice]

This is so sad. For all anyone knows these people were not previous criminals, just trying to survive w/their little kids. The place was unoccupied over a year, and their need was immediate. I saw a young black guy who looked like a college student dash out of the store not long ago w/a bag of diapers. No American should have to do this to survive, or have basic essentials. Thank you Bush! The obscene poverty rate, like the recession and both wars, were created by Republicans. If voters don't remember that now, you will. There will be plenty more of it down the road.

[kuruc]

this is what the gypsies are doing all over europe. but they are smarter than these thieves, they have not been electrocuted, yet.

[observer]

wow with their kids in the car!
this world is spinnning out of control!

[WesCovRes]

How sad, but there is no reason to steal especially with kids in their car. To one poster saying the father did not have a criminal history, it still doesn't give him a right to steal. There are plenty enough programs out there for families with needs.

[Jim]

While it's terrible for the children, the lesson is hard to ignore.

[Stemics]

Dallasalice,

It's amazing to me that instead of actually doing anything, you (blind faith) supporters, of the current regime just keep blaming the previous administration for your bankrupt policies and beliefs. Obama's FAILED TRILLION DOLLAR FIX is on him, not Bush. Oh and by the way, This guy was electrocuted on Obama's watch. How you can spin this into a political vitriolic diatribe about bush is beyond reason.

[Jeanette]

I'm sorry but you all have this story worng! My uncle was a gardener and he was hired by the man who owns that land to clean up that area and landscape. He is not a burgalar! The only reason that man isn't fessing up is because he doesn't want to be liable. My uncle was a good man, and this is injustice happening to him. My uncle did not derserve to die yesterday and he most definitely does not need to be remembered as a theif. I hope you all get your story straight because this is an outrage.

[TheBigPicture]

"Thank you Bush! The obscene poverty rate, like the recession and both wars, were created by Republicans. If voters don't remember that now, you will. There will be plenty more of it down the road. Posted by: dallasalice | October 24, 2010 at 02:39 AM"

I think this guy is a little behind the times, we've had a new Pres for the past 2 years...Nationwide soup kitchens and tent cities are easy to get started and inexpensive, but obama didn't see the need...instead he gave zillions for his failed bailout scheme...

Now all the Dems will be voted out Nov 2 and the country will be saved...

As for the article: Electricity is very dangerous, especially for methed out tweekers...
To bottom feeding criminals, be careful out there...

[Sheba]

Thou shall not steal. Sometimes the consiquences are immediate.

[drivebysuspect]

I agree with B.free we'll probably get sued and pay millions. just like the burglar that sues you cause your dog bit him.. this world sucks.

[Crime fighter]

Boy! this act is really smart! Have they not heard the old adage, "crime does not pay." The risk stupid first time criminals do for a few bucks. What's wrong with honest living like work? It won't cost your life in an instant. Have they not heard the old adage, "there is dignity in work?"

[sparks]

Oh, please. This is theft of the most appalling type--theft of everyone's infrastructure. How many people in that blackout had essential, even life-sustaining services interrupted?

In this case Darwin wins. This woman should be thrown in jail for corrupting minors, child abuse, and accessory to manslaughter.

[Kim jelston]

I would say lesson learned but this won't stop them. For all the times they have stolen copper wire and gotten away with it...well...karma

[Tony]

Man, this serves them right! Their selfishness and contempt for our orderly society knocked out my electricity for hours. Criminals like this steal copper wiring from air conditioners at schools in the area and make our children miserable during the hot parts of the school year. This is the justice they deserve!

[Chris Alexander]

Possible illegal immagrants....I'm sure by me being a law abiding, tax paying California, that this is somehow MY fault and I will have to pay! CRAZY!!!

[Randy]

Gotta love the bleeding heart haters who blame this theft on G. W. Bush. A proudly left-wing President with liberal majorities in the House AND Senate has been at the helm for 2 years. And yet the Dumbocrats blamed their failed policies and ineptitude on those damned Republicans.

[Paul Gelsman]

They got what they deserved.

[Javier Marroquin]

@Joe:

>For all anyone knows these people were not previous criminals

And for all anyone knows this was repeated behavior.

>The place was unoccupied over a year

First, how do you know this? Second, what difference would it make?

>their need was immediate

It takes a long time to steal copper, burn off the insulation, and find a willing scrap-metal dealer.

>I saw a young black guy who looked like a college student dash out of the store not long ago w/a bag of diapers.

Not long ago I saw a young Hispanic couple turn back their diapers and baby food b/c they'd maxed out their entitlement card and wanted the steak and bbq briquets instead. And they paid for their beer in cash.

>Thank you Bush!

Thank you Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and the rest of the educated Democrats "for the people!"

>The obscene poverty rate, like the recession and both wars, were created by Republicans

And all of this happened while Democrats controlled congress? Please get a grip on reality.

Based upon the smell of your post, I have to say "no on 19."