Wire thieves hit State Patrol facility near Spanaway

Wire thieves have again struck the state, stealing copper wire from the Washington State Patrol scale house on Highway 7 near Spanaway.

The theft occurred about July 1, said the state Department of Transportation. Thieves pulled the wire that feeds the scale station lighting. Although the patrol maintains the scale site, the land is owned by the DOT.

This was the 95th theft in the DOT's Olympic Region since December 2006. According to the DOT, wire theft repair and replacement costs have drained the DOT's maintenance budget of $500,000, which is compounded by the heavy snow year.

Over the past few years copper wire has been stolen from state-owned street lights, signals and storage yards. Thieves also are stealing aluminum, steel and other property and reselling it because of rising costs for the material.

In May, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill that increases penalties against metal thieves.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com