Published: November 20, 2009 07:22 pm      

New Albany man arrested in steel theft

Item valued at more than $200,000

A New Albany man has been arrested following a two-month investigation conducted by both the New Albany and Floyd County police departments.

David C. Edwards Jr., 48, was arrested at 64 Ferry Street in New Albany on Thursday on one count of theft, a class C felony.

According to a New Albany Police Department release, items allegedly taken include a piece of stainless steel weighing more than 4,000 pounds and valued at more than $200,000 from Global Mechanical Company, located at W. Seventh Street in New Albany.

The stainless steel was recovered in nine pieces and from three locations.

NAPD detectives anticipate more arrests in this theft.



Police warn of scam

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department has received numerous complaints recently from homeowners who have received telephone calls from the Police Protective Fund.

A homeowner in Georgetown received a call, from a 317 area code, from the Police Protective Fund claiming to be soliciting funds for Georgetown Police Department. The Georgetown Police Department and the Town of Georgetown were not aware of any telemarketing fundraiser being done in their behalf.  The sheriff’s department completed an online investigation into the Police Protective Fund organization and found numerous search results. In one search, the attorney general in California filed a lawsuit against Police Protective Fund for defrauding the public.  

 The Indiana Fraternal Order of Police has stated that the Police Protection Fund has no affiliation with them whatsoever.  

A sheriff’s department release states the Fraternal Order of Police is the only group that would be collecting legitimately in the area. Lee Deich Lodge 99 and the Frank C. Denzinger Lodge 171 are the local FOP lodges in the area and would either solicit for the “Shop with A Cop” or “FOP Cops and Kids” programs.

Both local FOP lodges will not be participating in a telephone solicitation program.