Suspect impersonates Seattle City Light worker, allegedly steals copper wire from West Seattle Bridge
Jul 1, 2026, 3:04 PM
A photo of the suspect posing as a Seattle City Light employee on the West Seattle Bridge allegedly stealing copper wire. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
A 47-year-old was arrested on Saturday after he impersonated a Seattle City Light employee and allegedly stole copper wire from the West Seattle Bridge.
At approximately 1:16 a.m., an officer conducting a proactive DUI patrol drove past a man standing on the shoulder of the westbound lanes on the bridge deck looking toward the water, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) announced Wednesday.
The officer believed the man was possibly attempting to commit suicide, exited the bridge, and later re-entered on the eastbound side. The officer took a closer look at the suspect and observed that he was rolling up what appeared to be wire.
The officer entered the freeway again from the westbound side of the bridge so he could talk with the suspect. The officer then noticed the man was carrying several spools of copper.
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When questioned, the suspect gave officers a story that quickly unraveled
When the officer asked what the suspect was doing, he claimed he was a Seattle City Light employee repairing bridge lights because of a “snag.”
The suspect was unable to produce any city identification, claiming he had only worked for the city for roughly two months. The officer asked where the other Seattle City Light employees and work trucks were, and he replied that “they should be with him on the bridge.”
The SPD investigation revealed that the man was allegedly cutting and stealing wire from the West Seattle Bridge lights. Officers said he had heavy-duty wire cutters, a flashlight, a screwdriver, and other hand tools in his possession.
A side-by-side photo of the tools and wire recovered by Seattle Police. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
Officers also found methamphetamine and an illegal fixed-blade throwing knife.
The suspect was ultimately transported to the Southwest Precinct, where he was placed in a holding cell. The suspect continued to claim that he had been a Seattle City Light employee for roughly two months.
Seattle City Light later confirmed that it did not have any personnel performing work on the bridge that morning.
The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of criminal impersonation, theft, malicious mischief, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
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