Help police nab Avista wire thieves

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a  cash reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the theft of copper wire taken January 9 from the Avista substation on Huetter Road.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the reported theft in which several of  the grounding leads at the substation were cut from the equipment causing $10,000 in damage. Thousands of Avista customers in Kootenai and Spokane counties lost power due to the theft. 

Anyone with information that could help solve this crime is asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or use the anonymous tip form on the Crime Stoppers website, www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org

All information received through Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is kept completely confidential.

Related story: Theft causes power outage