Commercial Building Copper Theft on the Rise in Puyallup

Copper theft is on the rise in Puyallup and the police need citizen help to curb it.

“The price of copper is up right now, with 90 percent of thefts happening in commercial business parking lots,” said Puyallup Police Captain Scott Engle. “And almost all of these crimes happen at night.”

Copper thieves have hit South Hill businesses especially hard, said Engle. City-owned baseball fields and churches like Puyallup Bethany Baptist have also been targets.

Most copper wire thieves know what they are doing, as the work is extremely dangerous. One wrong move and a suspect could lose a hand or become electrocuted.

Engle said his department tries to keep good relationships with local copper retailers, but “they do have a business to run,” he said.

If you see people standing around the base of a commercial light pole or poking around the electric control box after dark, call 9-11 immediately.

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Are you a local business owner concerned with copper theft? Mark your calendar for the Puyallup Police community roundtable, which will focus on retail theft. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, from 8-10:00 a.m. at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 202 15th Avenue Southwest.