Police: Two Men Stole Metal from Highland High

Two area men are accused of stealing scrap metal from Highland Regional High School property Wednesday morning.

School personnel reported the metal theft to Gloucester Township Police at around 8 a.m. Wednesday. Witnesses provided police with descriptions of the two thieves and mentioned that the men had used carry-on luggage to haul away the scrap metal from beneath the school's stadium bleachers, police Lt. Bob Stavola said in a statement.

Police followed a trail of scrap metal pieces to a hole in the fence separating school property and the Highland Park residential development. Investigating officers ended up on Springlane Drive, where they spotted luggage in front of a home and contacted the two individuals now charged with stealing the metal from Highland High School, police said.

Joseph Weber, 31, a resident of Springlane Drive, and Joshua J. Clark, 23, of Scott Lane, Lindenwold, were charged with theft, criminal mischief and defiant trespass. Both men were released pending court on criminal summonses.

Metal theft has plagued churches and businesses in Gloucester Township and the South Jersey community this summer.

Used gym equipment that was to be sold as scrap to offset the cost of new equipment was stolen from outside of Highland last December.