While on routine patrol Monday, Aug. 1, an Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a truck with metal in its bed parked on the side of the road on Hwy 25 South.  An ECSO report on the incident details that the deputy also observed two males walking around a nearby abandoned old store.  When asked the reason for their being at the site, the two men stated that they were gathering metal to sell.  When asked if they knew the owner of the property or if they had permission to be collecting the metal, they admitted they did not.  They further admitted to being at the same location the day before at which time they collected a truck load of metal that they then took to a scrap metal dealer in Greenwood, SC.

The owner of the property was contacted and came to the scene.  He stated that he did not know the pair of metal scrappers and further said that he did want to press charges.  He was also able to identify items in the bed of the truck as belonging to him.

The two men, both of whom are from Saluda, SC, were arrested and charged with petit larceny.  They were taken to the Edgefield County Detention Center without incident, and their vehicle was towed.  The owner of the property was able to retrieve the collected metal from the truck.