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Jul 8, 2009 12:56 pm US/Central
2 Arrested In Fort Worth Roofing Supply Thefts
Compiled from staff reports
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Fort Worth police are being credited with helping nab two roofing supply theft suspects last night.
The arrests occurred at about 11 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at ABC Supply in the 5300 block of East Lancaster.
When officers arrived, they found a gold colored van outside the building and a woman sitting inside with the hatch up.
A man was seen walking around the front of the van and when officers began asking questions, they put both suspects in custody.
Officers discovered five rolls of CertainTeed Roofing Felt inside the back hatch. When they made contact with the owner, he said the two suspects did not have permission to be there and they were taken into custody.
It's a small victory for a company that's lost hundreds of thousand of dollars.
"The price of these products has went up tremendously," said Bill Schuch, with ABC Supply Company's loss prevention department. "They doubled, tripled and the stuff has become gold."
Schuch said thieves are stealing shingles, siding and lumber then selling it.
The loss translates into higher process for homeowners and business. Supply companies say there is a big market for these stolen goods.
"Anyone with a pick-up truck can pull into a warehouse and buy material and put a roof up for somebody," Tim Rainey, with the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA).
Crime Stoppers says there may be about 100 thieves targeting these warehouses. Together with the NTRCA, they've put out a $5,000 reward to help catch any thief suspected of stealing roofing supplies.
"They're becoming brazen and fearless, so it's becoming a real issue," said Jim Hughes with Crime Stoppers.
The arrested are 39-year-old L.W. McCuin Jr. and 51-year-old Tina Langley Reynolds, both of Fort Worth.
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