THREE ARRESTED FOR MONTE RAIL THEFT
Montesano Police have arrested three people after finding sections of unused railroad tracks damaged by scrap thieves. Lieutenant Jay Staten says the woman and two men were found by officers near the track running next to Marys River Lumber off of State Route 107. Although the track is unused, Staten says railroad officials estimate the sections of rail, spikes and plates that were removed represent an ongoing problem of scrap collectors going from picking up loose pieces of metal to actually removing section of line. So widespread is the problem, officials are now asking officers to cite people for walking on tracks or picking up loose spikes or other scraps. The three suspects are being held for Theft, Malicious Mischief and Criminal Trespass.
