2008 Woodie Awards
Plaques stolen, sold as scrap metal
Laura Avila
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Other News
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The first plaque, stolen from the exterior of Hughes House, was reported missing July 6. Five more incidents were reported within the next three weeks, with the last on July 30, according to UST Chief of Security Daryl Bissett.
Plaques from Murphy, Tiller and O'Rourke halls were also reported missing. Additionally, three plaques were reported stolen from Link Lee Mansion in two separate incidents, Bissett said.
One stolen plaque was turned in to C&D Scrap Metal in the Heights, where, reportedly, a homeless man attempted to sell the material for profit. On Aug. 23, KPRC Local 2 news reported that Earnest Wilson had been charged with felony theft in connection with the incident.
Bissett said the thief took the plaques to a park, cut and ground them into copper and bronze chips, which he then tried to sell. "There is videotape evidence [of the suspect] conducting transactions at the salvage lot," Bissett said.
About 100 stolen-plaque cases have been reported throughout the city from churches, historic sites, residential areas and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which is located within one-half mile of UST.
"All of our plaques had the University's name on them, but they were grounded down into pieces so small, you wouldn't be able to tell it was a commemorative plaque," Bissett said.
No one reported seeing the thief on campus, as the incidents occurred between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. when few pedestrians are on campus, he said.
"A lot of police work was done in this case from the Houston Police Department's scrap metal department," Bissett said. "It has become such a large problem that they created a division. They ultimately got Wilson to confess and made an arrest."
C&D Scrap Metal declined to comment.