Man Admits to Taking Downspouts, Appears Connected to Beverly Thefts

This story was written by Editor Terry Date.

Swampscott police arrested a Lynn man on Thursday afternoon who "appears connected" to recent downspout thefts in Beverly, according to Beverly police.

The man allegedly confessed to stealing copper downspouts in Swampscott. 

Swampscott police Det. Tim Cassidy said that Stephen Marshall, 35, of 51 Coburn St., Lynn will be charged with six counts of larceny over $250 and six counts of malicious destruction of property over $250 for stealing from the following locations: the Holy Name Church in Swampscott, twice; Swampscott Town Hall; 143 Burrill St.; 23 Littles Point Road and 23 Paradise Road.

Swampscott Detectives Rose Cheever and Detective Ted Delano have been working around the clock in an attempt to identify the persons involved in stealing the Swampscott downspouts, said Cassidy. The first of the missing copper pieces were recognized as missing on Jan. 9.

The places where downspouts have been reported in Beverly in recent weeks include Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, North Beverly Elementary School and Beverly Golf and Tennis Club.

Marshall is not facing any charges in connection to the Beverly theft, although on Thursday afternoon Beverly police spokesman, Officer Michael Boccuzzi, said that "it appears they are all connected," in regard to the Swampscott and Beverly downspout thefts.

Police recently released video to the media showing two male suspects taking copper from a Burrill Street location in Swampscott.

The case started to gain traction this week when Swampscott detectives received information from Beverly police detectives and other individuals that one of the males stealing downspouts may be Stephen Marshall, who drives a small gold Ford pickup with a cap on it. 

Delano made contact with Marshall and set up a time for an interview at the Swampscott police station on Thursday.

At about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sgt. Joe Kable, the officer in charge of the Swampscott police station, saw a Channel 5 news truck parked in the police station lot, police said.

Kable asked what they were waiting for and they replied that they had received a tip that the cooper thief was turning himself in, police said. 

"It was later learned that Marshall had called Channel 5 himself to admit his wrong doings in Swampscott," said Cassidy. "Marshall gave Channel 5 an interview and then came into the station where he was immediately identified by Delano as being one of the parties in the past stolen cooper downspout video." 

The man then identified himself to Swampscott detectives. He was placed under arrest without incident. 

The thefts are still under investigation and anyone with information about the second male suspect in the video is asked to call Swampscott Police detectives at 781-595-1111.