Copper-wire theft knocks out power near Cathcart

CATHCART — Scrap metal thieves stole $12,000 worth of copper wire late last month, knocking out street lights on stretches of roadway near Cathcart.

Someone living in the area called the Snohomish County Public Works Department to ask why the neighborhood street lights weren’t working during the week of Sept. 20.

That’s when public works crews discovered about 20,000 feet of copper wire had been stolen.

County officials described two thefts. One was in an area on Cathcart Way between 78th Avenue SE and Highway 9. The other was on Puget Park Drive between 67th Avenue SE and Cathcart Way at Willis Tucker Park.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office plans to send extra evening patrol cars to those areas. At the same time, the county plans to better secure junction boxes that hold the wire.

Repairs are expected to be finished by Friday.

If anyone sees anything suspicious in the area, they are asked to call 911.

If neighborhood street lights appear to be malfunctioning, contact ROAD@snoco.org or call 425-388-7623.