Texas man electrocuted in power station break-in

An autopsy showed that a man found dead at an electrical substation in Texas was electrocuted, apparently as he tried to steal copper from the facility, the sheriff’s office in Montgomery County, Texas, said Thursday.

Harold Gene Schneider, 37, was discovered by workers at the facility owned by CenterPoint Energy Inc. late Wednesday, the Houston Chronicle reported.

"Investigators will follow up leads," said sheriff's Lt. Dan Norris. "They believe someone else could have been there."


Detectives believe Schneider, from nearby Houston, was trying to steal the metal based on the tools found near his body, KTRK-TV reported. He apparently gained access to the facility by cutting through a wire fence.

Detective John Schmitt earlier told the station that a second person is believed to have been involved because some copper was missing.

Across the country, the theft of copper, which is sold for cash to salvage operations, is a "constant problem, a consistent problem," said Norris.

"If it’s not tied down and sometimes even if it is, it’s stolen,” he said. "Brass pots out of cemeteries, (copper from) vacant homes, even homes that are occupied, mobile homes, air conditioners. You name it — if there’s metal, its subject to being stolen."

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Discuss this post

  1. People not used to being around HIGH VOLTAGE don't have the proper respect for it. Best to stay out of these places.
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:07 PM EDT

That was some quick justice

  • 10 votes
Reply#2 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:10 PM EDT

Want to guesss, the tools wire cutters.

  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:11 PM EDT

Well, that takes care of that!

  • 9 votes
Reply#4 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:24 PM EDT

That must've been a shocking experience!

  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:36 PM EDT

Rim shot!

  • 2 votes
#6.1 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:37 PM EDT
Reply

His buddy must have balls of steel. Imagine watching your friend fried by 50,000 volts and still grabbing some copper before running off.

  • 3 votes
Reply#7 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:44 PM EDT

god brought him into this world, and god took him back out. well done.

  • 1 vote
Reply#9 - Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:54 PM EDT

Dan...........what did God do about his accomplice? He must of prayed for forgiveness fast! REAL FAST!!!!

    #9.1 - Sun Nov 4, 2012 7:48 AM EST
    Reply

    OK, so you broke into a place with all kinds of electrical equipment around. There are usually warning stickers, ICONS indicating this is a dangerous place to be. The area is humming with power in the lines. I guess your crack head buddy (that is in a real need of a fix) says that one over there looks safe... You light up like the fourth of July and the circuit breaker trips, your on your way to a new dimension, and the crack head buddy cuts out some of the wires that are now safe and boogies.

    Darwin, geene pool thinning in action.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#11 - Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:18 AM EDT

    Must have looked like an early Halloween Mad Scientist Lab with all the sparks flying.

      Reply#12 - Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:50 AM EDT

      Darwinism at it's finest! Hope he hadn't procreated yet...

        Reply#13 - Fri Oct 26, 2012 1:28 PM EDT

        You are guilty of stealing, punishment electrocution, now. No appeals. Next? Where did he go oh the American justice system, your friend will get off easy.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#14 - Fri Oct 26, 2012 1:54 PM EDT
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