Apr 7, 2014 1 min read

The theft of copper leads from a company inside a Washington business park last week may have caused substantial injuries to the suspect.

John Carl told Washington police he went to Prime Plastics at 100 Detroit Ave. about 9 a.m. Friday to disassemble a generator when he noticed signs of a large explosion or fire at that site.

Electrical panels had been removed, and heavy-gauge copper leads had been cut out of one panel. Carl said the thief likely suffered extreme electrical shock or at least burns on his or her face and arms. Carl told police he could not immediately estimate the monetary loss.

Carl told police a burglary was reported at the same location just last Wednesday. A door to the building also had been removed from its hinges, but Carl was not sure whether that was the result of previous damage.

Seven brass bushings valued at $18,000 and four pallets of aluminum also were stolen from the company over a period of several weeks last October.