Town Man Charged with Scrap Metal Theft

A Grafton man was charged with five offenses in connection with the alleged theft of scrap metal from an old truck yesterday morning.

Richard Houston, 18, of 40 Meadowbrook Lane, Grafton, was charged with trespassing, trespassing with a motor vehicle, larceny under $250, attempting to commit a crime and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Police received a report at 9:27 a.m. that someone was attempting to cut aluminum off an old truck body located on private property on Donahue Lane, the police report said.

Houston was reportedly putting the scrap metal in the rear of his pick-up truck, according to the police report.

Houston reportedly told the person who called police that he had been at the same location the week before and had received $30 to $40 for the scrap. He told police this was his second trip to the site that day, the police report said.

Police said he was on the land, which was posted “Keep Out Private Property,’’ without permission.

Police said that when they entered Houston’s vehicle, they detected “a strong odor of fresh, unburned marijuana,’’ according to the police report.

A bag was located with more than an ounce of marijuana under the dashboard, on the floor of the vehicle under the cup holder, the report said. A digital scale, consistent with those used in marijuana distribution, was also found in the vehicle, the report said.

Police also found black “brass knuckles’’ and two sets of $20 bills folded in half, totaling $218, the report said.

An old, dismantled air conditioner was also found in Houston's vehicle, police said.

Judge Vito Virzi continued the case to June 6 in Westborough District Court.