Arrests made over metal thefts in Atlanta

United States – In the USA, four city of Atlanta workers have been arrested and charged with stealing over US$ 65 000 worth of metal and selling it at recycling centres. Each has been charged with misdemeanour theft by taking, according to the local police department’s spokesman Glennis Curry.

Police claim one of them had visited local recycling centres some 176 times since 2008 to sell US$ 61 645 worth of equipment stolen from various Department of Public Works’ facilities, while another man was charged with selling stolen metal worth US$ 3430 to recycling centres between 2008 and 2014. The thefts are said to form part of a larger Atlanta Police Department investigation that broke on March 23 when two long-time Atlanta workers were taken into custody.

‘The arrest of these individuals is the result of a continued, co-ordinated commitment toward the eradication of theft,’ says department commissioner Jo Ann J. Macrina. ‘In addition to more security enhancements to tighten inventory protocol, we are sending a serious message that the administration is committed to protecting the city’s property.’