A suspected wire thief was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 14, 2026, after City of Kent Public Works employees reported the crime in progress and helped Kent Police track the suspect near a busy intersection and highway ramps.
Officers responded about 1:43 p.m. to the area of 4th Ave South and Willis Street after engineering technicians Jay and Dan saw a suspect stealing wire from traffic signal junction boxes, police said. The boxes control intersection signals and cameras and communicate with railroad crossing arms to help manage congestion when trains pass.
While policy prevents city employees from physically intervening, police said Jay called 911 to report the theft and provide a description, while Dan followed the suspect at a safe distance and continued providing updates as the man tried to leave the area.
Police said the suspect abandoned his bicycle and trailer and walked away, then ran southbound up the northbound off ramp to SR 167. Officer Lyon located the suspect near the highway and coordinated with Officer Stanfill, who responded to a nearby parking lot near the former LA Fitness building where the suspect attempted to evade police.
Before officers made contact, the suspect removed a blue outer shirt in an apparent attempt to change his appearance, police said. Dan observed the clothing change and relayed the update to officers.
Sgt. Lorette later conducted an in field identification, and the suspect was positively identified by the witness. Police said Jay also took a photo of the suspect kneeling next to an open junction box with wires visible.
“There is iron clad evidence, and then there is this next level evidence provided by Jay and Dan,” police said in a department statement.
The initial estimate of damage to the junction boxes is about $10,000 and could increase as repairs continue, police said. The wire the suspect attempted to steal was valued at about $100.
The suspect, a 34-year-old Burien man, was transported to King County Jail and is being charged with felony malicious mischief. Police said he denied involvement and denied being on State Route 167.
“We don’t have enough great words to say about Dan and Jay,” police said. “Their actions were the textbook version of see something say something, remain calm, be a good observer and a great witness.”
Police also credited officers and supervisors for coordinated response efforts that led to the arrest.
