2 Arrested, Accused Of Carving Up Bridge For 'Black Market' Cedar

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — Two men have been arrested and stand accused of using a chainsaw to cut chunks of cedar from the base of a Jefferson County bridge.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources broke the news Thursday with a tweet simply saying: "Can't believe we have to say this, but don't take chainsaws to our bridges."

According to the DNR, the would-be lumber thieves were captured thanks to a pair of hunters who had been traveling in the DNR's Clearwater block last Friday, when they heard the sound of a chainsaw.

Thinking it suspicious, the hunters called the Department of Natural Resources, who dispatched Officer Allen Nelson to check out the mysterious noise. What he found, was "a cut above" most normal crimes: two men cutting large chunks out of the base of a bridge.

Photos of the crime scene show a large portion of the bridge's base had already been hacked away by the time Nelson arrived on scene.

The two men were quickly placed under arrest, and have been booked into the Jefferson County Jail on felony charges. Their vehicle has also been impounded, and the chainsaw hauled away as evidence.

Investigators say they believe the duo had been carving up the cedar to resell it on the black market to mill owners, who could then turn the wood into shake and shingles.

The DNR says it is especially irked by this crime because it puts the public in danger: the duo appeared to have broken through a locked gate that was supposed to keep the public out of the area, and now DNR crews have to reinspect the bridge to make sure it's safe.

"This is incredibly dangerous for our staff who work in the woods, as well as members of the public," the agency said.

The DNR is also thanking the two hunters who called the issue to their attention, and encouraging everyone else to do the same if they spot something suspicious on DNR-managed lands. DNR police can be reached by calling 855-883-8368 or emailing forestwatch@dnr.wa.gov.