UPDATED: Man trying to steal copper wires gets badly burned on utility pole in Dallas

Scott Doyle, says:

Sucks that the dude lost his life trying to scrape together a few bucks. If only he'd have gone about it via legal means...

Lisa Lawrence Merritt, says:

Word: Rotten.com

Pavel Lishin, says:

Stupid people with short-sighted get-rich-quick schemes won't be distracted by the glamorous life-style of a hobo-pushing-a-cart-full-of-cans. I'm pretty sure they'll keep stealing copper.

Because, you know. That's more respectable.

Suza Kanon, says:

nobody is getting rich off stealing copper except the scrap metal yards that are buying the stuff no questions asked and a legislature that could care less.

the economy is bad enough for crime to just get worse these days. its unfortunate what people are doing to try to survive.

Scott Doyle, says:

Clay, if you can't see that there's a correlation between economic downturns and people resorting to illegal means of obtaining cash...you're dead to me.

Scott Doyle, says:

You're officially dead to me.

Scott Miller, says:

Most of the criminals I've known had real jobs.

Scott Doyle, says:

Uhh, how many criminals have you known? And do you plan on going to any PegNews functions?

Rick Yost, says:

"melded"- Yuck!

I've known a few real career-criminals in my day (small time of course) It seemed to me to be their particular bad attitudes toward society in general that kept them from working real jobs, not the economy.

Scott Miller, says:

Scott Doyle

Question # 1- I know and have known all kinds of people, from white collar embezzlers to crooked politicians and cops to lowly, desperate street hustlers. And more.

Question # 2- yes.

James Scott, says:

Is this really that hard of a concept to fathom? Bad economy = fewer jobs. Fewer jobs = more unemployment. More unemployment = more people desperate for money. More people desperate for money = more people willing to do whatever it takes for money...need I continue?

Chris Kidd, says:

Im sorry, but this whole situation is darkly humorous. I laughed when he blew off his pants last week and they digitized his asscrack when they pulled him down. If you're that stupid to steal $50 bucks worth of copper and cause 25 large in damage, you deserve to die.

Im also throwing this guy in for a darwin award.

Kevin Kunreuther, says:

I hate these copper thieves. I'm glad this reprobate has been taken out by his own dumbness and serves as a warning for other like-minded bastards. The havoc they wreak on the community, the damage and grief they cause, it's nearly unfathomable. And who are these "ask no questions" scrap metal merchants that accept and pay the copper thieves? Obviously, they're the real criminals, they're the very people who are encouraging the thieves. An irreplaceable bust in a public park in Arlington was razed and melted down by these miscreants. What's next, the Statue of Liberty (62,000 lbs of copper sheeting @ $3.4875 a pound, total value on spot market, a mere $216,225.00)?

Chris Kidd, says:

Most of this is due to the really lax laws this state has on metal theft, as well as the cops not wanting to chase down the thieves or the scrap dealers who "fence" the stolen goods. At one of the recent crime watch meetings down here, the cops suggested business owners "grease their pipes" so the thieves cant climb buildings and steal from AC units.

Scott Doyle, says:

Uhh, they're <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/may/18/metal-thefts-spurring-legislation-dfw-cities/">working on it</a>. Granted, not fast enough or efficiently, but at least they're trying.

And unless you want cops constantly surveying your everything, they're not going to be everywhere all the time.

Chris Kidd, says:

All of this is getting tabled for the 2009 legislative session, which is one of my big complaints about this state when it comes to government doing their jobs. On the cops, I know the DPD has a manpower issue and they should focus on what we all consider serious crimes.

I guess im crazy for suggesting this, but maybe its time for the old west mentality of bounty hunting to come back into force, maybe offer a price on their heads, that'll get em off the streets quick ;)

Scott Doyle, says:

jtm, I certainly hope twisted is on vacation or something rather than getting teary-eyed over a lark. Doyle awaits his return as well. =(

<a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/users/twisteddog/">Appears</a> he mustered up the will to comment once more after that thread, but it was a couple of weeks ago.

alexander troup, says:

I recall the story of a man who was shocked to death but also welded to the pole in this kind of dangerous criminal activity,then again, lot of pennies rolling around in them wires...A/T, Dont confuse copper with silver in them wires or you will get burned..