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An Ogden man is in the hospital with a broken back after he tried to steal wire from a power pole.
Lt. Scott Conley said the 29-year-old man had rubber-grip gloves and pole-climbing spikes on his boots, but he didn't have a safety harness. He went up the power pole to cut the wire overnight.
At one point in time, he dropped a tool and lost his balance. He fell at least 35 feet. He was able to call 911 and get help. Conley said, "He indicated that he was attempting to remove the wiring for scraps sales so he could pay off other citations that he has received prior to this incident."
Police said the suspect knew the lines he was cutting were dead.
Conley said, "The moral of the story would be that these individuals are trying to take anything they can sell with value."
The man not only has medical bills to pay, but he also faces charges when he recovers.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
