Stolen Metal Analyzer Contains Radioactive Material
October 20, 2007 by national
Filed under Incident Reports
A $31,000 metal analyzer reported stolen Tuesday morning from a town of Barton metal processing firm contains radioactive materials, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Department officials, although they hasten to add there should not be any danger to the public.
“It is a device used for commercial purposes and as such should not pose a danger to the public,” said Sheriff Dale Schmidt.
The device was stolen from A & W Iron and Metal, 7588 Otten Lane, sometime after the close of business on Monday, along with various computer components, tools, a safe and an undetermined amount of cash, according to a Sheriff’s Department report. Entry was made by cutting through a metal wall, the report stated.
Lana Alexandra, the owner of the firm, confirmed that the device did contain radioactive materials.
“It’s the same type of principle as an X-ray machine,” she said.
She also said it did not pose any immediate danger.
