Man Seriously Injured in Philadelphia Copper Wiring Theft Attempt

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — A man suffered serious injuries after being nearly electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal copper wiring in Northeast Philadelphia late Wednesday.

At around 10:30 p.m., the unidentified man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, forcibly entered a transformer box located next to a KFC undergoing demolition on Roosevelt Boulevard, between Welsh Road and Grant Avenue. The police reported that he cut the lock to gain access.

According to police, the high-voltage wiring was still active when he attempted the theft, which resulted in a fire erupting around the transformer box. The incident left approximately 1,500 homes and businesses without power for about 30 minutes.

“It appears that this individual may have been trying to steal copper,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department. “Although the victim is in critical condition with burns to his face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands, he’s still very lucky because he’s still alive.”

This event marks the second incident this week involving individuals nearly electrocuted while attempting to steal electrical equipment. In an earlier case on Tuesday morning, a man suffered severe burns to his backpack and shoes while trying to steal equipment at the intersection of Frankford and Torresdale Avenues. Witnesses reported that the electrical shock from the equipment ignited his belongings.

The man in Tuesday’s incident managed to escape and ran several blocks before collapsing at Kensington and Hunting Park Avenues. He was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.

Police noted the ongoing problem of thefts of copper wiring and electrical equipment, driven by rising copper prices, which have more than doubled over the past five years. With each theft attempt, the risks for injury and potential fatalities continue to rise, prompting authorities to remind the public of the dangers associated with tampering with electrical infrastructure.

“We are seeing a concerning trend of individuals risking their lives for copper,” added Chief Inspector Small. “The consequences of these acts can be fatal or life-altering.”