It could have been the ultimate caper. Two men steal a bridge in broad daylight about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and take it to a large local scrap dealer, anticipating a nice payout for their efforts.But instead, they get a little over $5,100 for 15.5 tons of steel, apparently unaware that demand for steel has dropped, affecting the price of everything needed to make the metal from metallurgical coal to iron ore to scrap steel.(click below to read more)
The men who were allegedly involved, brothers Benjamin Jones, 24
years old, and Alexander Jones, 25, both of New Castle, Pa., may now
face jail time. They were arrested and charged with felonies, including
criminal mischief, theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. The
two remain in jail, awaiting a hearing on Thursday, and couldn't be
reached for comment.
"They saw it as an opportunity to make
money," says State Trooper Randolph Guy. "But that's not much money for
the work they did."
The thieves apparently used a blowtorch to dismantle the bridge,
which was in a remote wooded area, between Sept. 27 and early October.
Then they carted the pieces during multiple trips in a pickup truck and,
on one occasion, a trailer. Mr. Guy says they sold the pieces to a
local recycler, who then heard reports of a bridge theft and notified
police.
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