Police arrest man suspected of stealing downspouts

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee police arrested a suspect they say is responsible for several downspout thefts across the city.

The suspect, a 31-year-old Milwaukee man, confessed to officers to stealing numerous downspouts and selling them for scrap in just the past few weeks alone.

Officers were able to locate and arrest the man following one of his recent thefts near 92nd and Grantosa Dr. when witnesses gave a clear description of the suspect’s van.

Upon checking with a local scrap yard, officers discovered the suspect turned in approximately 85 downspouts in an eight-day period. When officers arrested the suspect at his residence on December 21st, they found three downspouts on the ground near his van.

Suspects in these metal theft crimes often sell the metal they steal to recycling centers for a profit.

The suspect will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.