WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 - Pair Arrested for Scrap Metal Thefts

Pair Arrested for Scrap Metal Thefts

07/25/2008 2:45 PM ET

CHESTERTOWN, Md.- The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office on Thursday arrested two men accused of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of scrap metal in Chestertown. 

Police say Cpl. Bruce Layton met with a complainant who reported that unknown persons had taken metal items from a property. The complainant had located several of the metal pieces on a pile at a local salvage yard. Items stolen included two grain dryer fans, one hydraulic system, a motor carrier and two grain dryer carriers. The items had an estimated value of $800.

Persons at the scrap yard told police that the truck that had brought the items there usually would return several times a day on most of the days the business was open. Layton cleared the location to further investigate at the scene of the theft.

Late Thursday morning, Layton was notified that the truck and two individuals were back unloading more metal.

The suspects were identified as 48-year-old Lawrence Edward Smith of Crumpton, Md. and 43-year-old Percel J. Miller of no reported addess. Police say both men admitted to taking the items and were charged with theft over $500.

Both suspects were taken into custody on a $5,000 bail.