Copper Wire Thief To Face Manslaughter Charges For Death Of Accomplice

A San Jose man who survived an explosion at a vacant building in late April will be held responsible for the death of a fellow thief who perished from injuries suffered in the blast, Milpitas police said Friday.

Alvaro Julio Quiane-Aquino, 31, and a 25-year-old San Jose man were trying to steal copper wiring and other recyclables from a vacant building at 1450 McCandless Drive on the morning of April 28 when a wire the younger man cut sparked an explosion, police said.

Officers found both men on the ground. The younger man, whose name was not released, suffered third-degree burns to most of his body. He died two days later, police said.

Police found drugs and paraphernalia connected to the men. Quiane-Aquino was booked on burglary and drug charges, as well as manslaughter because the younger because suffered mortal wounds during the commission of a felony, police said.