Alleged traffic sign thieves arrested

IRVINGTON, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Sheriff's Office saif deputies saw two men parked at Donna's on Padgett Switch Road and Two Mile Road.

Investigators said they were near a pick-up truck ,and one of the men ducked down when they saw the patrol car.

"Further investigation led to the discovery of stop signs, yield signs in the back of the truck," said Sgt. Mahoney.

 Mahoney said deputies arrested James Moore and Warren Cody of Irvington.

"Detectives came out interviewed them and they did confess to taking the signs from along the construction area along I-10," said Sgt. Mahoney.

However, Sergeant Mahoney said the sheriff's Office learned that the signs were actually posted and taken from Irvington.

Mahoney said the two men were also allegedly trying to steal the vacuum cleaning station's metal housing.

Donna's owner said the vacuum costs them $10,000.

They are replacing it today.

"Unfortunately, in this day and age, stealing anything that's metal because they're going out selling it for scrap," said Sgt. Mahoney.

Mahoney said the road signs belong to Mobile County.

The county said the stolen signs cost them about fifty bucks to make.

"They're made out of aluminum. So, they're not going to get a lot of money for them," said Sgt. Mahoney.

Alabama department of transportation officials said an aluminum stop sign can weigh about 10-pounds.

A Mobile scrap yard said they are buying aluminum for 25-cents a pound up to 50-cents per pound.

Both suspects are charged with possession of traffic signs, possession of burglar's tools, and attempted theft of property.