Suspected copper thief plunges 15-feet down shaft, breaks legs

A man who allegedly broke into an Atlantic City Electric facility in Pleasantville fell down an elevator shaft and had to be rescued overnight.

He and three other men with him were captured and arrested by police, according to Bridget Shelton, a spokeswoman for Atlantic City Electric.

Initial police reports for a rescue and trauma call for help came in about 1 a.m. to Egg Harbor Police.

Crews discovered the man, who said he believed both his ankles were broken. However, medical reports were not available as of early this morning.

The SouthStar Aeromedical Helicopter was flown to the scene to assist in transporting the injured man.

It took crews until about 2:15 a.m. to complete the rescue and the man was flown to a hospital.

Egg Harbor Township Police said they could not release further details on the arrests.

Shelton said the facility is an old control center between the Atlantic City Expressway and Garden State Parkway. It is currently vacant.

"We suspect they were after copper wire," Shelton said.