A 54-year-old Centralia man is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing copper piping and equipment from a construction site in Centralia.
David Thomas Troglin made his initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday on charges of second-degree theft, second-degree malicious mischief and, the most serious charge, first-degree trafficking in stolen property, which is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Judge Paul Strophy set bail at $25,000, which was requested by the prosecutor’s office, taking into account Troglin’s criminal history, which includes 2023 and 2024 convictions for second-degree theft and 18 warrants issued for his arrest, according to court documents.
The most recent theft was reported to the Centralia Police Department on Sept. 15 from Centralia Woods, a new housing development at 1350 Kresky Ave.
The person who reported the crime said copper piping had been removed from buildings. The piping had extended from the exterior of two homes prior to heat pump installation.
The piping had been cut flush against the two buildings, with a thief making off with the copper. The reporting party estimated the cost of the damage at $1,100 between the two buildings. An electrical cord and a cord for a compressor were also stolen.
An officer reviewed footage from a hidden trail camera on the site, but he was unable to identify the suspect. A few days later, on Sept. 19, another police officer reviewed the footage and recognized the suspect as Troglin.
The officer went to Troglin’s home and spoke to him. Troglin said he was not working and had been collecting metals, such as copper, to make money. When asked where he collected copper on Sept. 14 or 15, he said he got it “over by the fairgrounds.” When told he was on camera snipping copper from the Kresky Avenue construction site, he said “OK.”
“(The officer) asked Mr. Troglin if he had any of the copper or the missing extension cord so it could be returned to the construction company,” court documents state. “Mr. Troglin stated he sold all of the metal to Sutter Metals and made $50 to $60 for the metal he took. Mr. Troglin then provided the extension cord to (the officer). (A sergeant) responded to Sutter Metals at (the officer’s) request.”
An employee provided the sergeant with receipts issued to Troglin in the last week. The employee provided five receipts between Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 for separate transactions at Sutter Metals.
Troglin is scheduled to return to Lewis County Superior Court for arraignment on Thursday, Sept. 24.
He remained in the Lewis County Jail as of Tuesday morning.
