Staff writer

kwarco@observer-reporter.com

A Burgettstown man's luck ran out Wednesday night when he was caught stealing scrap metal from a Smith Township company.

Floyd J. Boyer, 49, of 68 Reed Lane, was arrested about 10:30 p.m. when police and a Washington County sheriff's deputy saw him loading scrap metals from outside Atlas Alloy Metals off Route 18 into his pickup truck.

Smith police Chief Bernie LaRue said the owner of the business, Tom Peterson, reported that scrap metal valued at more than $10,000 was stolen over the last two or three weeks. Another $6,000 in scrap was reported stolen from Bologna Coal Co., in the same area.

"I'd have the officers take a ride through his property every night," LaRue said. "Yet every morning, the owner was back reporting a theft.

"I decided that enough was enough," the chief added. "I borrowed night vision goggles from Washington County."

LaRue, along with Officer Derek Dayoub and sheriff's Deputy Robert Lonick, headed for Atlas.

"We were only there about 10 minutes when we caught him loading up his truck," LaRue said.

Boyer was using a flashlight as he loaded the truck. He tried to jump in his truck to flee but was taken into custody without incident.

Boyer would not tell police where he was selling the scrap metal. LaRue said the investigation is continuing, and more charges are pending.

Boyer was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. He was placed in Washington County Jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28 before District Judge Gary Havelka.

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