Copper wire thieves cause power outage in Elwha Valley

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) — The Clallam County Sheriff's Office says copper thieves damaged regulators and knocked out power in the Elwha Valley area of Olympic National Park.

Workers with the Clallam County Public Utility District were investigating the power outage early Saturday when they saw a hole cut in a fence.

They inspected further and found that the copper grounding wires had been cut out and stolen.

When one of the grounding wires was cut, it made contact with a regulator, which caused it to short circuit.

Officials say that damaged two other regulators and killed the power in Elwha Valley.

The PUD worker says the theft and damage would cost a minimum of $120,000.