Father, son charged in stealing scrap

Police arrested a Nashua father and son Wednesday after local citizens pegged them as the pair who allegedly ripped off scrap metal from a local auto repair shop last month.

Wayne Smith, 51, of Temple Street, and his son, Wayne Smith Jr., 28, of Worcester Street, each face charges of felony theft and criminal trespass in connection with thefts that occurred July 21 at the Meineke Car Care Center on Daniel Webster Highway, police said.

Detectives issued warrants for the Smiths shortly after airing a security video from the business on a local news station that showed two men taking items from a trailer and putting the items in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup truck, Lt. Paul Poirier said.

Soon after the video was aired, the department began receiving numerous reports from area residents who told police they recognized the men and the truck, he said.

Police released both men after their arrest, the senior Smith on $7,500 personal recognizance bail and Smith Jr. on $5,000 personal recognizance bail.

Both are scheduled for arraignment on the charge Sept. 2 in Merrimack District Court.