Kansas Copper Thieves Likely Severely Hurt

Kansas utility company officials say someone who caused a power outage and more than $150,000 in wire loss and damage by breaking into a substation could possibly be blind, deaf and seriously burned.

KWCH-TV reports Westar crews who went to check on a Wichita substation at 5:45 a.m. Saturday found grounding cables and copper wire missing and noticed the chain link fence was cut.

Westar says whoever broke into the substation was messing with very dangerous materials and probably was severely injured when the transformer shorted out.

Police have asked hospitals to notify them if anyone comes in with electric shock injuries, and say personal items left at the scene also could help them identify a suspect.