8 Arrested After Numerous Break-Ins At Plymouth Twp. Steel Plant: Police

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, PA — Eight people have been arrested for a series of break-ins at the shuttered Cleveland Cliffs Steel plant in Plymouth Township, where they were attempting to steal valuable metal to sell as scrap, police said.

Police said the individuals had made a series of attempts and successful break-ins over the past three months.

Suspects cut locks on gates and sliced through exterior perimeter fences to get inside, according to officials.

The 66-acre plant "idled" operations in May before going up for sale in August.

Related: Massive Steel Mill On Schuylkill River Up For Sale In 'Generational' Listing

A controversial data center was proposed there but the project was stalled in the wake of intense community opposition.

Police issued a warning to the public to avoid the plant.

"The property of Cleveland Cliffs Steel is not public property and is secured by locked perimeter fencing and on-duty security staff," Plymouth Township Police said. "Anyone who is not authorized to be inside the fenced-in perimeter will be prosecuted."

It's not clear how much value in metal was stolen in the recent incidents.

The following individuals are in custody, from the following dates of break-ins. They were all charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, and related offenses.

• March 19 - Michael Anthony Kropilak, Philadelphia
• Feb. 27 - Robert Bruce Hoffman, Collegeville, PA
• Feb. 12 - Douglass John McCann, Norristown
• Feb. 11 - Daniel Dutton, Mays Landing, NJ, Jason Lombardi, Palmyra, NJ, Philip Sulima, Harleysville,
• Jan. 20 - Alberto Boscana Philadelphia, Brian Mainart, Jeffersonville, PA

A warrant has been issued for another suspect in a Jan. 11 incident, Kevin O'Brien of Plymouth Meting.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, contact the Plymouth Township Police Department at 610-279-1901.