Pair arrested attempting to steal copper wires

Officers arrested a pair of copper thieves who were cutting the ground wires from Avista power poles Wednesday in the Yardley area of Spokane Valley.

A witness called 911 about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday and said two suspicious men were walking in the 5000 block of East Alki, said Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. They were carrying a black bag and bolt cutters.

The witness added that he could see the pair cutting copper ground wires from power poles.

Officer Glen Hinckley and others arrived and detained William Anthony Bodak, 39, 6409 E. Eighth Ave., and Robert James Matthews, 37, of Olympia.

An Avista representative arrived and said the numerous damaged poles would cost about $5,000 to repair. He added that the continued thefts of copper wire and ground cables in the western Spokane Valley could eventually result in public safety issues.

Hinckley arrested both men for first-degree malicious mischief. Officer Rob Stevens drove the suspects to the Spokane County Jail for booking on the felony charge.