Copper thieves hit Spokane Valley cell tower

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for suspects in the theft of copper wiring from a Spokane Valley cellphone tower company that will cost the business $17,500 to replace. An employee of the company, which houses equipment for AT&T, Nextel and Cricket, alerted sheriff’s deputies Tuesday to a burglary occurring sometime during the last two weeks, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. Copper wiring was also stolen from the ground and the building itself near Locust Road and Montgomery Avenue, investigators said. A grounding bar used to protect workers and equipment from high voltage, stamped with a “Do Not Recycle” notice, was also stolen. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in the case to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or online at crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.com. A cash reward is being offered.