Two suspects were arrested in Tukwila last month after allegedly stealing cable from an open manhole, an act authorities say has contributed to costly infrastructure damage and service disruptions in the region.

Officers responded to the 6400 block of Southcenter Boulevard (map below) on Feb. 21, 2025 after a witness reported seeing two individuals pulling wire from underground. When confronted, the suspects fled on bicycles.

Police located them at a nearby bus stop in the 6200 block of Southcenter Boulevard and took them into custody. An investigation revealed that a female suspect had removed approximately 300 feet of cable from the underground conduit, while her male accomplice was carrying bolt cutters and severed wire.

The female suspect was booked on charges of malicious mischief and attempted theft, while the male suspect was taken into custody on an outstanding domestic violence warrant and is facing the same charges as his alleged partner.

Tukwila Police Urge Residents to Report Suspicious Activity

Authorities say wire theft is a growing problem in the area, causing internet and power outages—some of which have affected 911 emergency systems. The damage costs thousands of dollars to repair and disrupts local businesses and public services.

“If you see individuals messing with wire, cable boxes, light poles or other infrastructure or leaving construction sites with handfuls of wire without marked vehicles or any kind of safety helmets, safety equipment or other markings to indicate that they are official employees, please feel to call 9-1-1 to report it,” police said in a statement.

Officials encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, particularly individuals tampering with cable boxes, light poles, or construction sites without proper safety gear or marked utility vehicles.

“If it looks sketchy/suspicious, please call it in to us and report it,”  police said. “Your reports have already led to arrests and the recovery of stolen materials.”

How to Identify Potential Wire Thieves:

  • Legitimate city and utility workers typically wear bright-colored safety vests and drive marked company vehicles(City of Tukwila, Puget Sound Energy, or Seattle City Light).
  • Individuals stripping commercial-grade wire inside cars or RVs on the side of the road may be engaged in illegal activity.
  • Anyone seen removing or transporting large amounts of wire without proper safety gear or a company vehicle should be reported.

Residents witnessing such activity are urged to call 911 immediately.