By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Salisbury Police are looking for a 38-year-old Salisbury man in connection with recent thefts of copper and other metals from local businesses.
On Friday, police officials said they are looking for Robert Valentine, whose last known address was 1920 Calvin Ave., for theft of guttering from 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 Friday and Tuesday. A local scrap dealer said the brass looks like copper.
On Thursday, staff at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic reported someone removed down spouts from their building, located on Mocksville Avenue, police said.
Police Chief Mark Wilhelm said Valentine was last seen wearing a blue shirt, black pants, a baseball cap and was riding a blue and white Raleigh mountain bike. Police did not have a good physical description of the suspect.
Two other thefts have occurred since the theft at First Baptist.
Someone took six down spouts from First United Methodist Church sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday night and the nearby Rowan Public Library around the same time. Those investigations continue, Wilhelm said.
The library has been a target in the past. In 2007, the library had been hit at least four times. Also at the time two other churches had copper stolen. James Fulcher Krimminger, of Salisbury, was charged with those thefts.
Police ask anyone with information about any of the thefts to contact the Salisbury-Rowan CrimeStoppers at 866-639-5245 or the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333.