Mo. Man Electrocuted to Death While Allegedly Trying to Steal Copper Wire from Utility Poles

Mo. Man Electrocuted to Death While Allegedly Trying to Steal Copper Wire from Utility Poles https://ift.tt/Y6vc0st

The man's alleged accomplice is now facing charges, including abandonment of a corpse and damage to critical infrastructure lines

A utility pole
Credit: Getty Stock Images

NEED TO KNOW

• A Missouri man died from electrocution while reportedly attempting to steal copper wire from utility poles
• Jerry A. Hendrickson allegedly admitted to driving Cody J. Lashly to the site and fleeing after finding the 34-year-old unresponsive, authorities said
• Hendrickson, 41, faces multiple charges including abandonment of a corpse and damage to critical infrastructure facilities

A Missouri man is facing criminal charges after a person he allegedly tried to help steal copper wire from utility poles died from electrocution, authorities said. 

Deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of Labadie Power Plant Road in Labadie around 10:40 a.m. on March 22. They were called after a power line inspector, who was investigating a reported outage, discovered an unresponsive man, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The man was later identified as Cody J. Lashly, a 34-year-old resident of Beaufort. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Investigators believe Lashly was trying to steal copper wire from utility lines. At the scene, authorities found a power tool attached to a utility pole, along with a broken pole, downed power lines, and signs of electrocution, per the release.

Authorities also recovered a broken vehicle mirror at the scene. They reviewed nearby surveillance footage showing a Dodge Ram truck arriving with two people and leaving with one. That vehicle reportedly had damage matching what was found at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators soon identified the driver as 41-year-old Jerry A. Hendrickson, of Robertsville. On March 24, he was taken into custody and allegedly admitted to driving Lashly to the site and positioning his truck to help him access the utility lines, per the release.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.  

Lashly reportedly stood in the truck bed while attempting to cut the wire, which led to a pole breaking and live wires to striking him. Hendrickson claimed he drove away after finding Lashly unresponsive, authorities said.

Hendrickson has since been charged by the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with abandonment of a corpse, attempted theft of $750 or more, and damage to a critical infrastructure facility. Authorities have issued a no-bond warrant for his arrest.

“This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are expected to be applied for in the near future,” Franklin County Sheriff Steven M. Pelton said in the release.