In brief: Copper thieves cause outage

PORT ANGELES, Wash. – The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said copper thieves damaged regulators and knocked out power in Elwha Valley.

Workers with the Clallam County Public Utility District were investigating the power outage early Saturday when they saw a hole cut in a fence. They inspected further and found that the copper grounding wires had been cut out and stolen. When one of the grounding wires was cut, it made contact with a regulator, which caused it to short circuit. Officials said that damaged two other regulators and killed the power in Elwha Valley.

The PUD worker said the theft and damage would cost a minimum of $120,000.

Woman allegedly trades sex for iPod

SEATTLE – A 27-year-old woman was charged with a felony for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old boy in exchange for an Apple iPod.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Marie Bracy met with the boy after he responded to a prostitution advertisement she posted on the website Backpage.com.

King County prosecutors say Bracy initially asked for $160 but agreed to take the iPod because the boy didn’t have any money. The boy’s parents contacted the sheriff’s office after they learned their son had hired a prostitute.

Bracy has been charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes. She likely faces one to three months in jail if convicted. She has not been jailed.

Jail break foiled by off-duty deputy

MEDFORD, Ore. – An off-duty sheriff’s deputy helped thwart an escape attempt at a Medford jail.

The Jackson County sheriff’s office said a corrections deputy was leaving the jail Dec. 2 when he heard a noise coming from an upper-level cell window. Deputies immediately placed the jail on lockdown and counted all inmates.

Two inmates face additional charges of attempting to escape and criminal mischief. Both remain jailed without bail and face federal charges related to other offenses.