Several railings from Disraeli pedestrian bridge stolen and sold for $10

A Winnipeg man is facing charges afterthousands of dollars worth of metal railings were stolen from the Disraeli pedestrian bridge and sold to a scrapyard for $10 per piece.

Const. Jay Murray with the Winnipeg Police Service said11 railings were removed in totalvalued at approximately $5,600.

"It's quick money," Murray told CBC News. "But it's unfortunate because it's a huge nuisance and it's a very costly problem that a number of businesses see, and in this case the city of Winnipeg is an example of that."

• Aggressive scrap metal collectors steal from yards, some Winnipeggers say

The thefts happened over four different occasions in May and June.

Four railings have since been recoveredbut seven have yet to be located, Murray said.

A spokesperson for the City of Winnipeg said the bridgesite has been secured and the final cost of replacing the railing is still being determined.

Dorota Praski, who lives in East Kildonan, saidtheft ofmetal items is a growing problem.

"From my property specifically, on three separate occasions, I've had things taken directly out of the yard a child's swing set, a fire bowl, and my lawnmower," she said.

"First you're wondering what happened, but then you get upset about it because you realize how close they are and they're in your space, they're in your personal space. And that doesn't leave you with a safe feeling at all."

Praskiis nowconsidering putting up better fencing and installing security cameras around her property.

Murray said metal theft often goes unreported and he encourages people to speak up if it happens.

"Every report helps," he said. "It helps us pinpoint where crime is spiking in the city."

It also allows police to return the metal if it's recovered, Murray said.

A 49-year-old Winnipeg man is charged with four counts of theft under $5,000 in connection to the pedestrian bridge railing thefts and has been released on a promise to appear in court.

Railings from Disraeli pedestrian bridge stolen and sold to scrap yard

7 years ago

Duration 2:08

A Winnipeg man is facing charges after thousands of dollars worth of metal railings were stolen from the Disraeli pedestrian bridge and sold to a scrap yard for $10 per piece.