urinalparts1.jpg

Authorities have recovered flush valves believed to stolen from area restaurant urinals and sold to a Birmingham scrapyard.

((Birmingham Police))

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -A father and son were taken into custody late this morning, suspected in a spate of thefts from urinals at restaurants.

The Birmingham Police Department's South Precinct Task Force stopped a green Ford F-150 matching the suspect description in the 2900 block of Clairmont Avenue, said police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards. "They were traveling down the road and recognized the vehicle,'' Edwards said.

The men are suspected in more than a half-dozen thefts throughout Birmingham and Jefferson County in recent days. Jefferson County sheriff's investigators identified a 44-year-old suspect on Wednesday, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian.

The suspect, authorities said, was identified after pictures were taken of him selling the urinal parts at area scrapyards. The photos and a description were sent to Birmingham police, who pulled him over.

On Tuesday, Jefferson County sheriff's deputies were called to the Captain D's restaurant in the 1100 block of Forestdale Boulevard on a report of a theft. Once there, Christian said, they learned a man had gone into the restroom and stolen the flush valves and supply lines to the urinal. Somehow, he left without being noticed.

Investigators contacted other area businesses and found similar thefts elsewhere. The same thing had happened at a Church's in the 1400 block of Forestdale Boulevard, and at Arby's down the street. In each case, Christian said, the suspect avoided detection. The stolen pipes were not made of copper and have little scrap value.

Edwards said Birmingham police also have been investigating similar thefts. The same urinal parts were stolen from restaurants in the city including Arby's, McDonald's, McAlister's, Guthrie's, Burger King and Waffle House.

Investigators said they hope to determine why the parts were being stolen. The men will be taken to Birmingham police headquarters for questioning, Edwards said. "We believe we have who is responsible,'' he said.

Christian agreed. "Now that we know the who and the what,'' he said, "I can't wait to find out the why."