Oklahoma Burglary Goes Awry, Man Dies

One person died and another was injured Sunday afternoon during an attempted burglary at an Oklahoma oil field, NewsOK.com reported.

The incident occurred at the Quantum Energy-owned oil field east of Calumet. Authorities with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Department said the victims were crushed by a pumpjack at the site as they were attempting to steal copper wire from the facility. Copper wire theft is a common Oklahoma oil field problem.

A nearby property owner called the sheriff after he spotted one of the victims crawling to the county road.

Authorities said the victims claimed to be oil field workers. Quantum Energy representatives said the victims were not employees of the company.

Michael Paul Cradduck, 22, died Sunday afternoon. Steven Ray Cavenee, 30, was hospitalized. Both men had previous burglary charges.

Authorities are searching for a third person that may be driving a blue sport utility vehicle.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Dean Yates  |  March 17, 2012
cranksters out of control.self repairing problem here huh?
paul  |  March 16, 2012
easy solution - make it a federal offense to pay cash for scrap. all scrap should be sold by people with identification to a bona fide dealer!
matt  |  March 14, 2012
I think that the thugs that are doing this all over and damaging millions in equipment for a few bucks worth of copper should get the death penalty. They ruined a big substation in Norman, Ok a while back and shut down a hospital for a while. Our country has enough problems. These guys aren't Americans if they destroy America. There should be a huge deterrent and bounty on this type of activity, like the death penalty, as there should be for lots of other crimes. It will never happen though. There are too many bleeding heart, soft, liberals around to ever do anything about it. These burglars were probably trying to fund their meth habits too. Who knows. Who cares. I work on a rig, why cant they? Instead I'll have to work longer so my tax dollars can take care of these thieving animals.
Juggaloil  |  March 13, 2012
I think its a sad case but I believe there are better ways to make a buck. Being in the oilfield myself I know there is.
Oilblur  |  March 13, 2012
When the oil patch is busier than a 3 legged cat in a litterbox, you cant tell me these losers cant find honest work. These idiots got what they deserved.
bradley mcwilliams  |  March 12, 2012
Self correcting problem.


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