Guards Foil Theft of Scrap Metal at Industrial Business

Feb. 23, 2007

NILES -- Michigan State Police were looking for a man Tuesday who was caught allegedly loading up a van with scrap metal from a Niles metal business.

Security officers for Modineer Metals, 2190 Industrial Drive, told Michigan State Police they saw the man sitting in a vehicle that was backed into a scrap-metal bin about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Security officers reportedly blocked the man's vehicle with their own cars and asked him to follow them inside their office for questioning, state police with the Niles post said in a written report.

The man reportedly complied but once inside he reportedly ran back outside and disappeared.

A search for the man resumed Tuesday, state police said.

Security officers told troopers the man's van contained scrap aluminum in a cargo area.

They said additional scrap aluminum was placed on the ground to be loaded into the van when the man's plans were interrupted.

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