Two suspects were arrested in Tukwila last month after allegedly stealing cable from an open manhole, an act authorities say has contributed to costly infrastructure damage and service disruptions in the region.
Officers responded to the 6400 block of Southcenter Boulevard (map below) on Feb. 21, 2025 after a witness reported seeing two individuals pulling wire from underground. When confronted, the suspects fled on bicycles.
Police located them at a nearby bus stop in the 6200 block of Southcenter Boulevard and took them into custody. An investigation revealed that a female suspect had removed approximately 300 feet of cable from the underground conduit, while her male accomplice was carrying bolt cutters and severed wire.
The female suspect was booked on charges of malicious mischief and attempted theft, while the male suspect was taken into custody on an outstanding domestic violence warrant and is facing the same charges as his alleged partner.
Tukwila Police Urge Residents to Report Suspicious Activity
Authorities say wire theft is a growing problem in the area, causing internet and power outages—some of which have affected 911 emergency systems. The damage costs thousands of dollars to repair and disrupts local businesses and public services.
“If you see individuals messing with wire, cable boxes, light poles or other infrastructure or leaving construction sites with handfuls of wire without marked vehicles or any kind of safety helmets, safety equipment or other markings to indicate that they are official employees, please feel to call 9-1-1 to report it,” police said in a statement.
Officials encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, particularly individuals tampering with cable boxes, light poles, or construction sites without proper safety gear or marked utility vehicles.
“If it looks sketchy/suspicious, please call it in to us and report it,” police said. “Your reports have already led to arrests and the recovery of stolen materials.”
How to Identify Potential Wire Thieves:
- Legitimate city and utility workers typically wear bright-colored safety vests and drive marked company vehicles (city vehicles, Puget Sound Energy, or Seattle City Light).
- Individuals stripping commercial-grade wire inside cars or RVs on the side of the road may be engaged in illegal activity.
- Anyone seen removing or transporting large amounts of wire without proper safety gear or a company vehicle should be reported.
Residents witnessing such activity are urged to call 911 immediately.
Nice 👎🏻
Made their great get away on bicycles…RIDE IT LIKE YA’ STOLE IT…oh wait they probably were stolen! LOL!
If we keep doing things the same old way, we can’t expect anything to change.
Yes, these reforms may add a little hassle for those recycling — but the benefits to public safety and community trust far outweigh the inconvenience.
We need real accountability to stop the flow of stolen metals and catalytic converters. Here’s what that could look like:
Chain of Custody for Recyclables
Require documentation proving ownership or the legal right to recycle high-value materials — like receipts, permits, or signed forms.
Recycling Facility Accountability
Recyclers must log detailed intake records: who dropped it off, when, what it was, and supporting documentation.
Centralized Tracking System
A state or national database to track materials from origin to processing — creating a paper trail that helps catch bad actors.
Mandatory Waiting Period for Payouts
Hold cash payments for 72 hours to give law enforcement time to investigate if theft is suspected.
High-Risk Item Flagging
Catalytic converters, copper pipes, and similar items should trigger extra scrutiny or automatic reporting.
Some states are already moving in this direction:
California & Oregon require ID and waiting periods for scrap metal sales.
The UK banned cash payments for scrap entirely back in 2013.
It’s time for smarter recycling policy that protects our communities. ♻️🔒