MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 29-year-old man faces one count of theft for allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of steel grates from car washes and selling them to a metal recycling company, according to court documents filed Friday in Dakota County.
Police arrested Matthew Kucera on Dec. 28, 2011, at an Inver Grove Heights metal recycling company.
Police said Kucera visited the recycling company daily.
According to Lakeville police, Kucera stole numerous steel grates from multiple car washes from November 2011 to December 2011. Video surveillance recorded Kucera during the thefts, and police were able to find Kucera from his license plate number.
When arrested, Kucera was wearing the same sweatshirt he had on when video surveillance caught him during the thefts. Police said they were able to confirm from the company’s records that Kucera sold unprepared steel to the recycling company on the day of the thefts.
If convicted, Kucera could be sentenced to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
