UPPER MERION >> A pair of brothers suspected of stealing 13 iron storm sewer grates from five area counties over the past month are now behind bars at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
According to a press release issued by Upper Merion Township Police Department, Brian Vetrulli, 36, and John Vetrulli Jr., 38, both of Gilbertsville, were arrested after police on patrol stopped them in a white 2013 Cheverolet Silverado 2500 pickup near the ACME, 320 West DeKalb Pike on Saturday. Images of a vehicle fitting the truck’s description had been captured by video surveillance cameras at the site of several of the thefts. The release states that during the traffic stop, the responding officers noticed a large pry bar in the truck’s flatbed and a background check revealed an outstanding warrant for John Vetrulli out of Norristown.
During a search of the vehicle, police also recovered scrap metal receipts dating to Dec. 12, 2014. The brothers were subsequently questioned and reportedly admitted to stealing the nearly 100 pound grates from sites in Philadelphia, Limerick, Collegeville, Plymouth Meeting, Willow Grove, Abington, Bensalem, Haverford, Broomall, Upper Providence and Montgomeryville.
The receipts indicate that more that 1,000 grates were sold at approximately $9 per grate. At a replacement cost of $475 per grate, the estimated cost of the damage caused by the thefts is $500,000.
The Vetrulli brothers are being held on $10,000 cash bail each, with a preliminary hearing scheduled before district judge William Maruszak, Jan. 30