Man accused of stealing aluminum

BY VICTOR INGE

THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

A Selma man has been arrested and charged with theft of recyclable materials authorities claim he took from his job.

Deputies said he had even gone to the recycling plant right after work, wearing his Globe Metallurgical uniform.

Eric Smith, 38, of 817-B Keesler Dr., was charged with theft of property and placed on $22,5000 bond. Dallas County Sheriff investigator John Hatfield said they were at the recycling plant looking into the case when Smith walked in with a 5-gallon bucket of aluminum.

Globe has 82 employees, and produces silicon metal for the aluminum chemical industry. Pralley thanked the Sheriff&8217;s department for its swift results.

According to authorities Smith worked from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m., and would gather the copper, aluminum and scrap iron during work hours. After work he had gone directly to Regional Recycling on Highway 41, where company operators there had no idea the material was stolen.

Hatfield said they don&8217;t know exactly how much Smith received since the thefts began in September 2007. He said Smith wrote a confession and expressed remorse for his actions.