PORTAGE | Police are investigating the theft of $225,000 in nickel bricks from an area business Friday night.
The owner of ISA Sales and Service, 7465 Industrial Ave., reported to police Saturday morning that someone had broken into his business and made off with about 24,000 pounds of nickel bricks and a snowplow. The nickel was housed in 12 55-pound bags, each weighing about 2,000 pounds. The market value for nickel is between $8 and $10 per pound.
Suspects gained access to the yard by cutting a chain securing a fence gate on the north side of the yard. The nickel was being stored inside one of five metal shipping containers on the property and the doors to the containers were secured with padlocks. The latch to one container was pried open. Empty pallets holding the containers of nickel were located next to the docking bay gate along with a forklift that was apparently used to assist in moving the nickel, according to the report.
A surveillance video showed that a large box truck pulled up to the business at 9:33 p.m. Friday and backed up to the docking bay. A second camera, inside the shop, showed an individual opening an overhead bay door and two suspects entering the shop and taking the forklift, which had been parked inside.
Cameras show nothing further for about an hour when another camera catches the truck leaving eastbound on Industrial Avenue, which is off of Ind. 149.
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