BUTLER, Pa. — A Butler County man who has been linked to scrap metal thefts in Butler and Venango counties was arrested Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Zachary Atwell had been sought for about a month in connection with the thefts, which total more than $30,000.
Investigators said Atwell went to MRC Scrap Metals in Butler in late October to sell some scrap metal. Manager Dennis Kerr said he knew something wasn’t right and he called police, prompting authorities to look into Atwell.
Kerr said he takes pictures of items brought into MRC Scrap Metals, in addition to asking for a photo ID and obtaining an address. If he notices something suspicious, he alerts police.
“We don't want these people in our community. I may lose money, but they're off the streets,” Kerr said.
A tip to police helped track Atwell down Saturday night. He was taken into custody along West Cunningham Street in Butler and was in possession of a stolen gun, police said.
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