Police looking for thieves who stole items from Catawba construction
Published 7:15 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2015
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
Police are looking for three men who stole tools, metal and other items from the Catawba College gym construction site.
The school has been undergoing construction of its gym facility and had set up a camera to capture images of the project. The camera captured the men going into the gym and walking out with $150 worth of tools, $200 worth of copper wire, a tool box and an electric cable that runs the motor for the bleachers.
One man was seen entering the gym at 5:26 p.m. where he took a toolbox. The same man and two others returned to the gym at 7:08 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. where they took the electric cable and an angle iron.
Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said the old bleachers were offered to anyone who wanted them and were kept outside, separate of the construction area.
A Catawba College spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. However, a Post reporter did speak with Assistant Sports Information Director David McDowell, who explained the camera footage had been set up using security cameras over the exit and entryway of the gym.
The cameras were able to capture motion and the footage could then be downloaded. The cameras were able to show police when the men entered and exited the gym.
The college had been creating a time lapse video of the gym construction and happened to catch the theft in progress. Police have not made an arrest.
McDowell confirmed the suspect seen on camera was not a student. The man, who police said, was wearing a T-shirt with a design on the front, has been seen in the area.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.