Macomb Daily, Detroit man arrested for stealing restroom fixtures in Clinton Township Gerald Kevin MiddaughA Detroit man has been charged with dismantling pipes and valves from restaurant urinals and taking the metal to Detroit and south Warren where he sold them for drug money, according to Clinton Township police. Gerald Kevin Middaugh has been charged with five counts of larceny in a building in Clinton Township. He admitted to dismantling sinks and stealing the metal pipes on at least 20 occasions, according to police Middaugh allegedly stole metal pipes from fast-food restaurants in Sterling Heights, Utica, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Warren and Fraser. Police in those communities are investigating. Middaugh made it easy for police to arrest him. He appeared for a preliminary examination in 41-B District Court in Clinton Township on an unrelated drug charge. He missed his court date because he was taken to the Clinton Township police station. “He never made it to court,” said Detective Capt. Richard Maierle. “But he will.” Maierle said undercover detectives had Middaugh under surveillance for several days. They saw him leave his home on Houston-Whittier on Detroit’s east side and drive to 41-B District Court. Clinton Township Detective Lt. Eric Reincke said police have surveillance videos of Middaugh walking into restaurants and walking out with what police believe was scrap metal concealed under his coat. “This guy admitted stealing the metal and taking it to scrap yards where he would get cash,” Maierle said. “Operators of several scrap yards identified the metal Middaugh sold them and we recovered some of the scrap metal.” Police said some of the scrap yards would put the plumbing items aside if the operators suspected they were stolen. The scrap yards had identification of the person who brought them in for sale. Police said Middaugh would use a wrench he had concealed in his jacket to detach the pipes. “This guy created problems for many of the restaurant managers,” Reincke said. “In some cases he didn’t shut off the water and there was a mess all over the restroom.” St. Clair Shores Detective Lt. Dave Centella said the suspect was wanted for stealing plumbing items from a Burger King and Tim Horton’s.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:26:04 +0000
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