Suspect Drives Front Loader into Wastewater Treatment Plant

April 23, 2020

A suspect used a front loader to destroy property and damage buildings and work vehicles at a wastewater treatment plants in Piece County, Washington 

A suspect used a front loader to destroy property and damage buildings and work vehicles at the Tehaleh Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The suspect tore through fences and gates, destroyed several steel roll-up doors, busted holes into walls, broke pipes that flooded buildings, and smashed a work van and truck, according to authorities.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

The incident unfolded at about 12:55 a.m. on Tuesday, reported Pierce County sheriff's officials. Watch the full video below.

The suspect then drove the front loader off the side of a dirt hill and fled the property, reported KOMO News. There was no entry to the buildings, no items were stolen from the facility and water treatment operations were not compromised, however.

"We take crimes against infrastructure and our county’s taxpayers very seriously," said the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone with information on the person responsible for the damage is urged to call the Sheriff's Department, send a private message, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Anonymous tips can be left using the “P3 Tips” app on your smartphone.

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Cristina Tuser

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