SALISBURY — Authorities are in search of a thief they say targeted the ruins of Grimes Mill, which was destroyed by fire earlier this month.

The Salisbury Police say they expect to make an arrest in the theft of items from the mill. Brian Davis, executive director of Historic Salisbury Foundation, has been keeping a close eye on the mill.

He spotted someone among the rubble early Tuesday morning, said Police Capt. Melonie Thompson.

The Salisbury Police received a call at 3:45 a.m. that someone had jumped the fence that surrounds the site. A light could be seen coming from the area. By the time authorities arrived on the scene, the suspect was gone, she said.

Police believe the thief was searching for metal to sell for cash. The 117-year-old mill caught fire nearly two weeks ago and a cause has yet to be determined. Investigators have said the fire started in the back corner of the mill.