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Police: Norristown Man Electrocuted While Attempting To Steal Copper Wiring

By Mike Dougherty

UPPER MERION, Pa. (CBS) -- An apparent attempted burglary went horribly wrong for a man who was trying to steal copper wiring early Saturday morning in Montgomery County.

Authorities say a Norristown man was killed while attempting extract copper wiring from high-voltage electrical box in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Police were called to the scene around 4 a.m. and found the 41-year-old man unresponsive, laying partially inside a 4100 volt junction box on the front lawn of the Kennedy Supplee Mansion on Trooper Road.

Upper Merion police say he was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.

PECO was called to de-energize the box.

The victim's friend placed the 9-1-1 call, and police say he is cooperating with the investigation.

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