By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Authorities have charged a man with felony larceny after they say he stole brass guttering from a church and business, probably thinking it was copper.
Robert Valentine, 38, whose last known address was 1920 Calvin Ave., turned himself in at the Salisbury Police Station on Saturday after police began looking for him in connection with the thefts at First Baptist Church and Salisbury Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
Someone stole 74 pounds of red brass from First Baptist Church on North Fulton Street sometime between July 4 and July 8. A local scrap dealer said the brass looks like copper, which thieves have targeted recently for its value.
On Thursday, staff members at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic reported someone removed down spouts from the building located on Mocksville Avenue, police said.
Valentine is charged with two counts of felony larceny.
Two other thefts have occurred since the theft at First Baptist.
Someone took six downspouts from First United Methodist Church sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday night and the nearby Rowan Public Library around the same time. Those investigations continue, Police Chief Mark Wilhelm said.