Worker Allegedly Stole $138,000 of Nickel From Kirwan Heights Factory

An Elizabeth man is accused by investigators of stealing more than $138,000 worth of nickel while working at a Kirwan Heights industrial complex.

Collier Township police said Enoch Leech, 51, stole the nickel from Carpenter Powder Products on Mayer Street over several months.

According to a criminal complaint supporting the arrest, police said company supervisors became suspicious of missing nickel and installed surveillance cameras where the metal is usually stored on Jan. 5. Leech was scheduled to work overtime that weekend and is allegedly seen in the surveillance video scooping buckets of nickel into numerous bags before leaving in his minivan shortly before 2 a.m. on Jan. 6.

Police believe the more than 1,000 pounds of missing nickel were worth more than $8,000.

Police said they believe Leech stole $138,000 worth of nickel from October 2012 until charges were filed on Jan. 6.

Charges of theft and receiving stolen property against Leech were held for court during his preliminary hearing with District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet on Jan. 14.

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Collier Township

Merchandise stuffed in pants: A South Fayette man is accused of stuffing Kmart merchandise down his pants in order to attempt to steal the items earlier this month. Collier police said Charles Knudsen, 27, tried to steal an alarm clock, notebook, stickers, automotive fuses and dash lights from the Kmart on Jan. 19. Police said all of the items were worth a combined $39.

Construction trailer stolen: A construction trailer and equipment were reported stolen from Neville Park on Jan. 14, Collier police said. The trailer and equipment are worth more than $7,400, police said.

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