A Palmerton man died last week after being electrocuted during an apparent attempt to steal copper wire from the New Jersey Zinc Co.

Borough police Chief Randy Smith said the man, identified as Joshua Vacaro, 32, of Palmerton, was found dead at around 3 p.m. Thursday on the grounds of the site."We're surmising that he was attempting to steal copper wire from utility poles," Smith said.He said police found a big bolt cutter laying next to the body."We didn't find any wire cut or any wire laying around," Smith said.Vacaro's death remains under investigation as police await a coroner's report, as well as the results of a state police investigation, Smith said.