Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, Hamilton Police Chief Neil Ferdelman and Middletown Police Chief David VanArsdale joined forces with two local scrap yards to kick off a reward program Thursday aimed at targeting and identifying the thieves, who steal scrap metal, according to Cincinnati.com.
Sheila McLaughlin of the Cincinnati Enquirer covered the story:
The announcement came only days after someone stole air conditioning units at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton twice in a week, presumably to sell the copper parts for scrap.
“It’s just bad times economically and that leads to some terrible times for us because more people are out thieving to get money for their drugs and groceries and everything else. Scrapping is just an easy way for them to get money,” Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Craft said.
Jones and Ferdelman put up a $500 reward for information to catch and convict the Fitton Center bandits. Jones and the owners of the scrap yards, brothers Neil and Ken Cohen, are offering $100 for information about other thefts for scrap.
A hot line has been set up for tips at 513-858-9252.
And Jones added a little bonus for inmates at the Butler County Jail who might want to provide information.
They get free commissary items as a reward.
For the entire story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Reward offered for stolen scrap metal.”
The police agencies are collaborating with Hamilton Scrap Processors and Cohen Brothers Inc. in Middletown.
