Kevin Roy was killed as he sliced live NIPSCO wires adjacent to a church Friday morning in Gary, Ind.
Roy, 48, a Glen Park resident, was pronounced dead outside Agape Tabernacle in the 1400 block of East 49th Avenue shortly after 6:50 a.m. when a passerby noticed him lying on the ground.
Police spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said evidence at the scene suggested Roy scaled a NIPSCO pole and cut wires. He fell when he was electrocuted.
"He had his tools of the trade with him," King said.
Roy had a prior conviction for stealing more than $30,000 worth of copper wire from NIPSCO in 2007. He pleaded guilty to that charge.
He also had prior felony charges for fraud, theft and several for burglary.
Detectives were called to the scene Friday before officials determined Roy's death was accidental, caused by his exposure to electricity.
NIPSCO crews were making repairs to the wires Friday afternoon.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
