Video: 3 people accused of selling stolen wire in Oregon

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LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. - High gas prices aren't keeping wire thieves from driving down to Oregon to cash in on that state's lax laws.

Three people were jailed this week in Lewis County, accused of selling thousands of dollars in stolen copper power lines to Portland recyclers.

The suspects, two men and a woman, appeared before a judge at the Lewis County Courthouse Thursday. They are accused of selling nearly 3,000 pounds of stolen copper in Oregon for almost $9,000.

In Washington if you are selling more than $30 worth of wire, you must wait 10 days and then a check is sent to you. In Oregon you get cash immediately.

Police say power poles with missing power lines are becoming a common sight in Lewis County.

KING

The three suspects are accused of selling the stolen power lines to Portland, Ore. recyclers.

Twenty miles of copper power lines were stolen from the Lewis County Public Utility District this year.

"We can't put it up as fast as they're taking it down," said Alex Lane, a spokesperson for the agency.

The PUD's assistant superintendent says customers will likely see rate increases to cover the copper losses.

"It would really be a valuable tool to make laws tougher and hold people more accountable from what they're bringing in," Lane said.