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Last week the Michigan State Police took two reports of scrap metal thefts, including one from the Project Blessing Thrift Store in Carsonville.

Thrift Store volunteer Linda Olinger said the store was open when one of the male volunteers noticed a man with the trunk of a black car open on the west side of the building around 4:40 p.m. June 12.

"He had filled his trunk with cut steel that was waiting for salvage," said Olinger. "Our guys didn't realize because they are in and out of the store. They had seen a car, but cars go through all the time. When one guy noticed, the man got in his car and drove off."

The scrap metal was pieces of steel catwalks and old bins from the former elevator that had cut by a torch. Project Blessing's board had decided to have the old elevator torn down because the metal was old and rusty and they were worried about it falling on customers or volunteers.

Earlier that same day a Maple Valley Township resident called to report a theft at her home on Wellman Line Road.

She said the lawn mower trailer and three large animal cages were missing.

The woman said her neighbor reported seeing a red pickup truck out by the barn around noon and didn't think anything of it because cars come and go there frequently. But then he saw the same pickup in the driveway by the house later.

The woman also reported she had seen a red pickup with four men in it two or three times and has had metal stolen three times previously.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call the state police at 810-648-2233.