Man accused of stealing batteries from roadside signs

Man accused of stealing batteries from roadside signs

Posted: Updated:
(AP File) (AP File)
MYFOXNY.COM -

A Bronx man is accused of stealing 300 hundred of batteries from roadside message signs.

The value of the thefts was put at $60,000.

Police say that Angel G. Velez, 26, of the Bronx, disabled traffic advisory and warning signs and endangered motorists in the process.

The batteries were stolen from the portable message signs owned by Westchester County, New York State and several private companies that do road construction projects in the county.

The batteries weigh between 55 and 96 pounds and cost about $200 apiece when new.

Police say that Velez would sell the stolen batteries to recycling centers for their lead content and made more than $20,000.

The thefts occurred along the Hutchinson River Parkway, Bronx River Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, Cross County Parkway, New York State Thruway and local roads as well as from a state DOT maintenance yard.

Velez faces multiple felony charges and the state police are investigating whether Velez is responsible for similar thefts that have occurred in Rockland, Orange and Bronx counties.

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