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Man, Juvenile Daughter Nearly Electrocuted Allegedly Attempting Theft Of Utility Power

INGLEWOOD (CBS) — Officials said that a man and his juvenile daughter were nearly electrocuted as they allegedly attempted to steal utility power in Inglewood Friday.

The incident happened near 10024 S. Hawthorne Boulevard, according to William Charles of the Inglewood Police Department.

Officers responded to a call regarding an electric transformer that was sparking. When they arrived on scene, they found a fire associated with the Southern California Edison transformer and two injured people with burns to their upper bodies.

The two injured people were reportedly standing outside a truck with a fifth wheel trailer attached next to a burning pole.

In a statement, Charles wrote that investigators concluded the man and his daughter were attempting to tap into an electrical line in an effort to steal utility power. He added, "Their ineffectual attempt resulted in disruption of normal performance to the transformer."

Both the man and his daughter were taken to an area hospital. They were both listed in critical condition and then transferred to a burn center.

SCE later shut electricity to the area while it conducted an investigation into the incident.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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