Copper Wire Theft Disrupts Light Rail Service in Kent, Federal Way

Thieves stole copper wiring, briefly shutting down the Federal Way Link Extension on the morning of February 20th.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Copper wire theft shut down the Federal Way Link Extension light rail service for several hours on the morning of February 20th, 2026. The incident occurred between the Angle Lake station in SeaTac and the downtown Federal Way station, halting trains in Kent and Des Moines. Sound Transit was able to restore service by late morning after repairing the damage, but the agency says it is dealing with a broader trend of similar copper wire thefts that have been disrupting transit systems.

Why it matters

Copper wire theft is an ongoing issue for transit agencies across the country, as thieves target valuable metal components to sell. These thefts can cause significant service disruptions and require costly repairs, impacting commuters who rely on public transportation. The Federal Way Link Extension is a new light rail line that opened in late 2025, and this incident highlights the challenges transit agencies face in securing their infrastructure.

The details

According to Sound Transit, the copper wire theft occurred overnight on February 19th between the Angle Lake and Federal Way Downtown stations. Light rail service was halted around 6:30 am on February 20th, and trains were able to resume by around 10:48 am after crews completed repairs. During the disruption, shuttle buses transported riders at the affected stations in Kent and Federal Way. Sound Transit says it is actively investigating the incident and has been increasing security measures, installing more cameras, and enhancing monitoring at critical locations to deter future thefts.

  • The copper wire theft occurred overnight on February 19th, 2026.
  • Light rail service was shut down around 6:30 am on February 20th, 2026.
  • Service was restored by approximately 10:48 am on February 20th, 2026.

The players

Sound Transit

The regional transit authority responsible for operating the light rail system in the Seattle metropolitan area, including the Federal Way Link Extension.

Amy Enbysk

A spokesperson for Sound Transit.

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What they’re saying

“We take the recent copper wire thefts on the 1 Line very seriously. This incident, which occurred last night (Feb. 19) between Angle Lake and Federal Way Downtown stations, temporarily disrupted service. Unfortunately, this is part of a broader trend. We have experienced multiple thefts recently, and similar incidents are regularly occurring nationally and internationally. Some recent incidents have been extremely brazen, including tampering with wires while trains are in service.”

— Amy Enbysk, Spokesperson (Sound Transit)

“Our crews worked diligently to repair the damage and were able to restore service at approximately 11 a.m. Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to protecting our riders and transit infrastructure.”

— Amy Enbysk, Spokesperson (Sound Transit)

What’s next

Sound Transit says it is actively investigating the copper wire theft incident and is continuing to increase security measures, install additional cameras, and enhance monitoring at critical locations to deter future thefts.

The takeaway

Copper wire theft is an ongoing challenge for transit agencies like Sound Transit, causing disruptive service outages and requiring costly repairs. This incident highlights the need for transit systems to prioritize infrastructure security and work closely with law enforcement to address this persistent problem that impacts commuters who rely on public transportation.