Thanks to public’s help, Norwood police identify people in stolen lumber investigation

NORWOOD, New York (WWNY) - Norwood police are investigating the theft of tens of thousands of dollars of lumber in a case that has stretched far beyond the village.

Earlier in the day, police shared surveillance images of a red pickup truck, its license plate (New York KJW-4333), a yellow trailer, and two people they would like to talk to.

Thanks to help from the public and getting a clear photo of the license plate, police said Thursday evening that they’ve tracked down the two people. No arrests have been made at this time, officials said.

According to police, the surveillance images were taken in May at Merriman’s Lumber on South Main Street in Norwood.

They say the lumber loaded onto the truck’s trailer was charged to a credit card, which may have been stolen.

Since May, Norwood police say this has also happened in Watertown, Tupper Lake, Gouverneur, and Malone and the value of all the lumber combined could reach $40,000.

“It is primarily lumber that you would expect anyone from an individual to a small-scale or large-scale construction company to purchase, but it’s in the thousands of dollars. We have at this point multiple businesses that have been struck by these people so that increases the value of the lumber that’s been stolen immensely,” said Shawn Wells, Norwood Police Department.

If you have information about the people or about anything involving the case, Norwood police ask you to call them at 315-353-2131.

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