6100 Highway 76, Bonsall

March 6, 12:11 a.m.

Sheriff’s Dept.

Deputies from the Fallbrook Patrol Station were dispatched to a report of a downed “live” power line on Highway 76. They arrived and found two power lines had been cut from a utility pole near the road. A ladder had been placed against the utility pole and several tools were observed near the ladder.

Employees from SDG&E were called to the scene to shut off the power. Deputies searched the area and discovered a man lying on the ground who was still in contact with one of the downed power lines.

The male appeared to have been electrocuted and was pronounced dead at 2:33 a.m.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide detail are investigating due to the suspicious circumstances of the man’s death.

Sgt. James Bovet indicates that the man was engaged in copper theft from the power lines, and investigators believe the deceased male was working with one or more other suspects.