A Council Bluffs man who allegedly was involved in a botched attempt to steal cooper wiring from a power pole, may end up losing parts of both hands, after he suffered fourth-degree burns over the weekend. The Omaha World-Herald reports the unidentified man in his 40’s, who has not been charged, suffered severe enough wounds that a partial amputation of his hands may be necessary. His injuries occurred after an alleged, attempted theft Saturday afternoon.

Officials say at around 3:30 p.m., MidAmerican Energy crews responded to a downed power pole near 20001 225th St., northeast of Council Bluffs between the city and Underwood. Crews found the pole had been cut with a chain saw. MidAmerican contacted the sheriff’s office, which began an investigation that led to Jennie Edmundson Hospital. That’s where a man had recently been admitted with fourth-degree burns. Sheriff Jeff Danker told the paper the man’s burns were electrical and that the suspect entered the hospital around the time deputies were dispatched to 225th Street.

Danker says Police believe the suspect and another man cut down the power pole in an attempt to access the transformer and likely harvest copper. After the man burned himself, the accomplice drove to the hospital, dropped off his partner and fled. Danker estimated damage to the power equipment at $10,000. About 200 people lost power as a result. The sheriff said he’s confident an arrest will be made in the case as the investigation continues.

Medical personnel eventually transported the man from Jennie Edmundson to the burn unit at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, according to hospital staff, where he was in fair condition.