A St. Charles man was found electrocuted to death after scaling a wall to reach a high voltage electrical transformer.

Authorities found the body of Robert J. Paluch, 30, of the 1300 block of Lancaster Avenue, on top of an electric switch at former Applied Composites property in western St. Charles.

Paul McCurtain, St. Charles police spokesperson, said Paluch’s reasons for entering the property were unknown, but he may have been attempting to steal copper wiring.

“We really don’t know for sure,” he said. “There were no eyewitnesses to the incident. There was a hammer and hacksaw next to the body. It appears as though he were trying to cut the wire loose.”

The Kane County coroner determined that electrocution was the cause of death and identified the body using dental records and photographs, while toxicology samples have been sent for analysis.

Paluch’s family has been notified of his death.