City of Winter Haven employee steals brass hex nuts www.privateofficer.com
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. April 10 2011 – Winter Haven Police have arrested a City of Winter Haven employee for grand theft and dealing in stolen property after an investigation uncovered he was in possession of brass hex nuts that were reported stolen on Feb. 28, 2011 from the City’s Utility Department. The brass hex nuts are couplings used to connect water meters.
Investigators checked area scrap yards and found numerous occasions where large quantities of brass items were sold by the nephew of city employee Paul May, 46. May’s nephew had been scrapping brass since January 21, 2011 totaling $3,610.
Investigators and a Utilities Department representative went to May’s home and found several buckets that contained hex nuts. May admitted that he didn’t have permission to take the brass hex nuts. The remaining buckets that were still on his property with an estimated value (if scrapped) of $1,847 were recovered by officials.
The actual value was undetermined due to the inability to confirm the exact amount of hex nuts recovered since they were dismantled into separate pieces.
The investigation continues, which may lead to additional charges.
Source:WOFL FOX 35
