Scrap-Metal Collector Busted Scavenging After Storm

A Milford man was busted Tuesday after police received a complaint of a suspicious pickup in the area of East Broadway where several homes damaged by Tropical Storm Irene had been evacuated, police said.

"Police located the vehicle on Shell Avenue and spoke with the occupants who claimed they were collecting scrap metal that was left in the roadway after the storm," police said.

During the investigation, one of the men provided a false name, according to police.

The man, identified as Peter Rodriguez, 46, of 165 Chapel St., was charged with interfering with police at about 9:30 a.m., according to the Milford Police Department.

Rodriguez allegedly claimed he gave cops a false name because he feared he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, which turned out to be untrue based on a computer check, police said.

The suspect was released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 20, according to police.