U S West Property Targeted Again

Thu., April 16, 1998

By Pat Sciuchetti pats@spokesman.com

Burglars who broke into a US West Communications building at 7425 Starr Road over the weekend may have used keys obtained during a previous burglary.

This is the eighth time in eight months that thieves have hit US West property in the Spokane area.

This time, the burglars took hard hats, orange safety vests and employee identification cards, making police wonder if they plan to impersonate U S West workers.

The burglars also took $900 in tools and $700 in telephone pole climbing equipment during the Friday night theft.

A set of keys stolen during a previous US West burglary probably were used to gain access to the locked storage area, deputies said. The padlock on the fence had been removed, without damage to the fence, deputies said.

No arrests have been made.

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