SPOKANE, WA — Two suspects have been arrested following an investigation into a string of copper wire thefts from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) infrastructure throughout Spokane County.
According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the case began in June when DOT employees alerted authorities to suspicious individuals tampering with electrical conduit and boxes along state highways and Interstate 90. Over the next several weeks, numerous incidents of vandalism and copper wire theft occurred, ultimately causing an estimated $168,000 in damage and service disruptions.
WSP led the investigation with support from multiple local agencies, including the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Airport Police, Airway Heights Police, Spokane Tribal Police, and Kalispel Tribal Police. Investigators used surveillance and vehicle tracking technology to monitor the suspects’ movements.
On July 8, troopers took both suspects into custody following a surveillance operation. They were booked into the Spokane County Detention Facility. Authorities also released images of the suspects’ vehicle and are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact Detective Steve White at (509) 838-9383 or Sergeant Oscar Garcia at (509) 528-8381.
The investigation remains ongoing.
