Post by BearDogg-X on Aug 3, 2011 23:02:34 GMT -5
......in an attempt to steal copper to sell for scrap.
www.houmatoday.com/article/20110803/HURBLOG/110809849/0/FRONTPAGE
Another story for 1,000 Ways to Die.
www.houmatoday.com/article/20110803/HURBLOG/110809849/0/FRONTPAGE
Electric shock kills alleged copper thief
Eric Heisig
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 8:09 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
A Houma man was killed early this morning by an electrical shock at an Entergy substation while cutting a ground wire in an attempt to steal copper wiring, Terrebonne sheriff's deputies said.
The charred body of 34-year-old Timothy Lewis, was found about 2 a.m. by Entergy employees responding to the resulting power outage, police said. Lewis, armed with wire cutters, cut through a fence surrounding the substation, and was killed when he cut the ground line, deputies said.
An investigation continues, and an autopsy is being performed by the Terrebonne Coroner's Office.
The substation serves about 1,500 customers, Entergy Regional Customer Service Manager Henry Gernhauser said.
About 500 customers in Bayou Blue, near the Lafourche Parish line, were still without power about 9 a.m., Gernhauser said, and all should be back online today.
Authorities have handled four reports of copper thefts from local substations in the past few months, though not this one, Terrebonne sheriff's Capt. Dawn Foret said. It was not immediately clear if those thefts had been solved.
The theft of copper and other metals is an increasing problem nationwide, a trend that experts blame on the shaky economy and an increased demand caused by mining strikes.
Thieves steal everything from welding leads to telephone lines and sell the copper inside for a fraction of the original cost. The going rate for cable containing copper, a local scrap yard said, is $1.30 per pound.
Lewis had an extensive criminal history, Foret said. His family blames a drug problem as the underlying reason for his legal trouble.
Lewis' mother, Susan Robichaux-Lewis, said she heard about her son's death a few hours after it happened. She said her son left behind many people who loved him, including his three daughters, but his actions were motivated by addiction.
"I can't sugarcoat a situation like this," Robichaux-Lewis said, "but he was a character in his own way."
Robichaux-Lewis said "the drugs had him" but that he had many great qualities as a father and son.
"He was good as gold in a lot of ways, though it was a battle with him," Robichaux-Lewis said. "But it doesn't make it any better."
Eric Heisig
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 8:09 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
A Houma man was killed early this morning by an electrical shock at an Entergy substation while cutting a ground wire in an attempt to steal copper wiring, Terrebonne sheriff's deputies said.
The charred body of 34-year-old Timothy Lewis, was found about 2 a.m. by Entergy employees responding to the resulting power outage, police said. Lewis, armed with wire cutters, cut through a fence surrounding the substation, and was killed when he cut the ground line, deputies said.
An investigation continues, and an autopsy is being performed by the Terrebonne Coroner's Office.
The substation serves about 1,500 customers, Entergy Regional Customer Service Manager Henry Gernhauser said.
About 500 customers in Bayou Blue, near the Lafourche Parish line, were still without power about 9 a.m., Gernhauser said, and all should be back online today.
Authorities have handled four reports of copper thefts from local substations in the past few months, though not this one, Terrebonne sheriff's Capt. Dawn Foret said. It was not immediately clear if those thefts had been solved.
The theft of copper and other metals is an increasing problem nationwide, a trend that experts blame on the shaky economy and an increased demand caused by mining strikes.
Thieves steal everything from welding leads to telephone lines and sell the copper inside for a fraction of the original cost. The going rate for cable containing copper, a local scrap yard said, is $1.30 per pound.
Lewis had an extensive criminal history, Foret said. His family blames a drug problem as the underlying reason for his legal trouble.
Lewis' mother, Susan Robichaux-Lewis, said she heard about her son's death a few hours after it happened. She said her son left behind many people who loved him, including his three daughters, but his actions were motivated by addiction.
"I can't sugarcoat a situation like this," Robichaux-Lewis said, "but he was a character in his own way."
Robichaux-Lewis said "the drugs had him" but that he had many great qualities as a father and son.
"He was good as gold in a lot of ways, though it was a battle with him," Robichaux-Lewis said. "But it doesn't make it any better."
Another story for 1,000 Ways to Die.
