Brothers steal bridge, sell for scrap metal

The two men used a blowtorch to break up the bridge before attempting to sell it to a recycling company. Photo / Thinkstock

Two brothers have been charged with stealing a western Pennsylvania bridge and selling the 15 1/2 tons of scrap metal for more than $5,000.

Police say 24-year-old Benjamin Arthur Jones and 25-year-old Alexander Williams Jones of New Castle used a blowtorch to break up the bridge in late September or early October. They face felony charges of criminal mischief, theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

Authorities say Alexander Jones told a recycling company employee that he had permission to carve the bridge for scrap and showed the employee cellphone photos of the bridge. The recycling company called police.

The 50-foot (15-meter)-long by 20-foot (6-meter)-wide Covert's Crossing Bridge was in a wooded area about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Pittsburgh.

The brothers' phone numbers weren't listed, and it's unclear whether they have attorneys.

- AP