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Massive copper theft shuts down Everett dental office

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EVERETT, Wash. — An Everett dentist says he is out tens of thousands of dollars after a copper theft, but it isn't because of the metal's value; it's because he needs the copper just to operate his practice.

At 1 p.m. at Silver Lake Dental Arts in Everett, the only thing the employees were taking was calls.  They couldn't take any of this week's 200 appointments.

The office is closed due to a massive copper theft. Thieves tore up the office's crawlspace and cut out pipes.  Dr. Brent Kellogg found out when he opened up Monday and the water had been shut off -- apparently by thieves.

A utility worker discovered the extent of the damage inside the crawlspace and Kellogg heard his office wasn't the only location hit.

"Then the stories started coming in about people losing their air conditioners, people getting their water turned off,” he told us.

We checked -- back in March copper thieves targeted a number of businesses in the Silver Lake area. Targeting a dentist's office, however, elevates the crime to high risk. Kellogg immediately turned off the nitrous tanks Monday morning; there was a chance they could have exploded.

"We believe they were smart enough to go in there and not touch the nitrous lines but we have no way of knowing,” he explained.

Kellogg says a specialized plumber has to check the lines.  He estimates the cost of the cuts at $15,000 but says that’s nothing compared with the $50,000 to $60,000 in business Silver Lake Dental Arts will lose this week.

“It’s a real issue when someone starts playing with copper in your building,” he concluded.

Kellogg says the repairs will take two days and he hopes they’ll be complete by Friday.

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