SPOKANE, Mo. (AP) - Christian County authorities say copper thieves who left a small southwest Missouri town without power for several hours might have been seriously injured.
The thieves took copper from a power substation about 1 a.m. Tuesday, leaving nearly 2,000 people in Spokane without power. White River Valley Electric Coop officials had power restored by 8 a.m.
Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle says investigators at the scene found the fence cut and wires missing.
They also found pieces of burnt flesh.
Kyle says it was obvious that someone had been seriously injured.
KY3-TV reports that the thieves got about $2,000 worth of copper. Utility officials say it will take five to 10 times that amount to repair the damage.
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Information from: KYTV-TV, http://www.ky3.com