Arkansas Electric Company Seeking Copper Thieves

More than 50 spans of electric lines have been stolen in Craighead and Lawrence counties in the last few months, and the local utility wants it to stop.

Craighead Electric CEO Brian Duncan told the Paragould Daily Press for a story published Sunday that copper thieves trying to make a quick buck are doing so at the risk of their lives.

In 2007, a man died in east Arkansas while trying to steal a live power line.

Duncan says the damage the thieves cause can trigger explosions, fires and extended electric outages for customers.

Duncan asks residents to call police if they see anyone stealing a power line.