A Woonsocket Police Officer's quick action led to the speedy arrest of three men spotted removing scrap metal and water tanks from an Elm Street building Nov. 30.
At 8:06 a.m., Officer Matthew Derham received a report about a breaking and entering at 261 Elm St., where a caller said three men had taken metal and water tanks from the rear apartment, placing them in the back of a gold Toyota Tundra pickup. The men had left the scene headed toward Social Street, the caller said, according to Derham's report
Suspecting the men intended to sell the metal, Derham began to check recycling facilities. He soon spotted a gold Toyota Tundra on the weigh scale at Heavy Metals Recycling, 9 Privilege St., radioed his discovery, and was joined by two other officers.
In the truck, officers found Matthew Chandler, 41, of 39 Burnside Ave., the driver, and Oscar Cole, 30 of 106 Kendrick Ave.
An employee at the site said he was familiar with Chandler, who routinely sells scrap there. He said Chandler, Cole and another man dropped off four water heaters, a small furnace and some piping, which police valued at about $620, for which they were paid $25.
A third passenger in the truck, Steven Gardner, 44, of 39 Burnside Ave., who had stayed outside the facility, walked up to the scene shortly after, and was arrested as well.
Chandler, Gardner and Cole were each arrested and charged with one count of receiving stolen goods.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
