Wire Thieves Strike Black Diamond Area

Copper wire thieves have hit an area just outside of Black Diamond city limits, interrupting communications services for residents though 911 services were not affected this morning, a press release issued Monday morning by CenturyLink said.  

A Black Diamond police spokesman verified the incident was reported at about 6 a.m. today on the 26800 block of Green River Gorge Road. Due to its location, it was referred to the King County Sheriff's Office.

According to CenturyLink, the theft this morning involved suspects climbing telephone poles to get at the copper wires. About 300 customers were without high-speed Internet today, spokesperson Meg Andrews said.

Service is expected to be back up by end of day today, she said.

King County Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart said thieves are getting bolder, recalling an incident in August in which a woman was badly burned attempting to steal copper wiring from a Puget Sound Energy substation in Enumclaw. 

"We still have problems with wire theft on a regular basis," he said.

The effects of wire theft are widespread, said Sue Anderson, vice president and general manager of CenturyLink in Seattle. “Hospitals, schools, and public safety organizations are all affected as well as residential and business customers. We urge the public to call law enforcement if they see suspicious activity.”

CenturyLink is asking for the help of the public to stop these thefts. Legitimate technicians will be driving branded vehicles and wear CenturyLink clothing. In addition to the typical safety equipment such as orange vests and hard hats, there will be flaggers if the road is blocked plus orange cones and traffic signage.

If the public sees workers without this equipment, acting suspiciously, or working at odd hours, they are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Officials believe that the copper is taken to recycling centers where it is sold as scrap. Per state law, scrap metal recyclers are required to collect records of each transaction, including the license plate and description of the vehicle used to deliver the metal, along with the current, government issued identification from the seller, along with other checks and balances.