KING COUNTY, Wash. — King County law enforcement continues its successful push to investigate and arrest suspects involved in copper wire theft, a crime that endangers public safety. The theft of copper wire to sell to recyclers disrupts essential services such as 911 systems, internet, and phone lines.
Casey McNerthney from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office emphasizes that these thefts cause more than just property damage, affecting the daily lives of residents.
Detective Earl Seratt from the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and Woodinville police recently made two significant arrests. On January 15, a local couple reported a crime in progress on 164th Ave. SE. They had witnessed two individuals—later identified as 26-year-old Jaden Munoz and 27-year-old Ciara Davis—cutting copper wire and loading it into their car. Deputies quickly responded to the scene.
After pulling over Davis’s vehicle, deputies found 25 pieces of cut copper wire, along with a ladder and chainsaw inside the car. During the arrest, Davis claimed that the wire was from an OfferUp pickup, but investigators found this story suspicious. Munoz and Davis were arrested and charged with felony theft of copper wire and malicious mischief.
In a separate incident, two other suspects, 46-year-old Christopher Ogilvy and 50-year-old Belinda Raybell, were arrested for copper wire theft. They were found near a cut cable and were equipped with a ladder and a makeshift tool to reach high wires. Both were also charged with theft and malicious mischief.
Detective Rich Rowe of Woodinville Police believes these types of crimes are driven by various factors, including drug addiction and financial desperation. The suspects face felony charges, and Ogilvy, with a long criminal history, has a history of evading law enforcement.
Detective Seratt is urging the public to continue reporting suspicious activity. “More thefts are occurring that aren’t reported until after the fact,” he stated. “We need the public’s help to prevent these crimes before they happen.”
The push to catch these criminals is crucial to maintaining public safety, especially when it comes to protecting essential communication infrastructure.