Massive Tonnage Swiped in Heavy Metal Theft

Industrial Court, High Ridge

Scrap items scheduled to be recycled were stolen between Apr. 1 and Apr. 26 from a property on Industrial Court, in High Ridge. Missing were a 35-ton telescopic hoist, a 35-ton hoist cage, a Rockwell vehicle rear end, two Mack engine heads, a seat for a large truck, a bell housing, three alternators, five brake drums and a grille for a Ford 8000 truck. The value of the property was set at $4,200. The items, which were stored on an unfenced and unsecured property, were last seen on Apr. 1. There are no suspects in the theft.

River Road, Fenton

All of the aluminum siding on the rear and one side of a 52-foot mobile home on River Road, in Fenton, was stolen Apr. 28. Some copper piping and electrical wire also was stolen. The total value of the items was set at $700. Two witnesses to the theft identified a suspect, stating that he "floats between residences and has a severe drug habit. Deputies are investigating and are attempting to contact the suspect, with the possibility of filing charges with the prosecuting attorney's office.

Dillon Plaza, High Ridge

A 540-piece Craftsman mechanic's tool set was stolen Apr. 28 from a business at Dillon Plaza. The store owner noticed the items missing after he found the packaging for the tool set lying empty on a shelf. The owner believes the items were taken sometime after the store opened at 8 a.m.

Little Bussen Road, Fenton

Metal construction items valued at $12,960 were the targets of an attempted theft Apr. 29 from a property on Little Bussen Road, Fenton. The items included six hinged concrete corners, 100 concrete walk brackets, 40 pieces of #5 rebar, a 50-foot roll of chain link fencing and two steel racks. The victim in the incident called the sheriff's department with a report of a theft in progress and then confronted the thieves, blocking their pickup truck and convincing them to unload the items. When sheriff's deputies arrived the two thieves abandoned their truck and ran into the woods. Deputies were unable to locate the suspects but found a Missouri Driver's License in the front seat of their truck. The truck was confiscated.

Sugar Mountain Drive, High Ridge

A man's vacant home on Sugar Mt Dr., High Ridge, was damaged and items inside moved around sometime between Apr. 15 and Apr. 25. The man was working out of the country at the time. His brother told sheriff's deputies he couldn't determine if anything was missing but noticed several items from inside the residence had been moved to the garage. A rear basement window and door were damage in the break-in. Deputies discovered a cigarette butt and a green duffel bag that was thought to the break-in suspects.