By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man was electrocuted while allegedly stealing cable wires along Burgos Street in Bacolod City’s Barangay 18 early yesterday morning.

Police identified the injured as 34-year-old Johnvic Lumayao, a resident of Purok Himaya in the city’s Barangay Alijis.

Police Station 2 commander, Captain Jonito Pastrana said one of their teams was conducting a routine patrol when they spotted a tricycle parked along the street.

The police then saw Lumayao allegedly trying to cut cable wires owned by a telecommunications company, while two of his accomplices, who remain unidentified, looked on.

Upon seeing the police, the two unidentified suspects immediately fled, while Lumayao, who was coming down to escape, grabbed an open wire, causing him to be electrocuted.

Lumayao was knocked unconscious by the electrocution and dangled in the electrical post for several minutes before he was rescued by authorities.

He was immediately placed under arrest by police before being transported to the hospital to receive treatment.

Police said the fleeing suspects managed to cart away around P17,000 worth of cable wires, and they are now preparing theft charges against Lumayao./DGB, WDJ