Going for the copper

POST FALLS - When it comes to their hunt for the "medal," burglars are continuing their run for copper.

"We have seen more metal thefts recently than what I can recall ever investigating," Post Falls police Chief Scot Haug said.

In the latest incident, Anthony Scott Vick, a 36-year-old who lives in the Chattaroy, Wash., area, was arrested on Thursday morning after allegedly hacking up equipment at Northwest Refrigeration and HVAC, 3680 W. Seltice Way, Unit B, in Post Falls.

"A neighbor woke up to pounding at the business," Post Falls police Capt. Greg McLean said. "They saw a shadow, flashlight and small truck and contacted us.

"(Vick) had been cutting a condenser unit trying to get the copper tubing."

A Post Falls officer located the older white pickup leaving the business and attempted to stop Vick on westbound Interstate 90, according to reports.

Vick allegedly didn't stop for the officer, but was pulled over without incident just inside the Washington state line by a Spokane County deputy. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony malicious injury to property.

Police are investigating whether Vick was involved in a burglary at the same business on Oct. 19.

The value of the equipment that was destroyed is $39,000 for one unit and $33,000 for the other, according to the police report.

"What's sad is that a $39,000 piece of equipment is now useless because it's been hacked up for maybe $300 worth of copper," McLean said.

A message left at Northwest Refrigeration seeking comment was not returned on Friday.

Vick has an extensive burglary history in the Spokane area.

Several agencies, utility and cell phone companies, contractors and others businesses have been plagued by metal thefts in recent months.

Avista employees said that since July crews have spent nearly a month replacing and repairing equipment from thefts. The total cost to replace and repair hardware from the thefts is nearly $12,000.

Earlier this month, Spokane residents Jason Wing, 28, and William Fossell, 22, were arrested when they allegedly attempted to sell more than 600 pounds of copper wire to a Post Falls recycler, who became suspicious when the material was stamped with "Avista."

Post Falls police recently had a communication site vandalized and much of the copper was removed, Haug said.

"The value of recyclable metals is at an all-time high," Haug said of the suspected reason behind the theft trend. "The higher-than-normal unemployment rate has some people desperate and willing to resort to theft of property."