Two Standard boxes stolen

Felony charges are being eyed in the theft of Southern Standard newspaper boxes which disappeared from two locations this week.

‘We had racks from Northside Laundry and Hardees taken,’ said Standard circulation director Bill Cathcart, noting a separate change machine was also broken into at the laundry. ‘This has happened at times before and like before, we intend to prosecute those responsible to the full extent of the law. We don’t see this as a prank. We see it as a crime.’

Cathcart said the boxes are valued at $425 apiece not counting their contents, meaning the combined thefts could be treated as a felony since it totals over $500. He noted stealing the racks makes no sense given the potential punishment for little gain.

‘The racks have the money collected daily so there isn’t going to be much money at all in them, even if they are taken at their fullest,’ Cathcart said. ‘The big loss is the racks themselves which are worthless unless you’re selling newspapers.’

Cathcart noted the racks are bulky and fairly heavy and a truck would likely need to be used in stealing them.

Cathcart said the motive for the thefts is unclear as it could be straight monetary theft, a criminal prank, or even copycat crimes because of a rash of newspaper rack thefts which made news recently elsewhere in Middle Tennessee.

Two men were arrested this past week in Clarksville for stealing dozens of Leaf Chronicle boxes in that town. The suspects were caught after they were captured on surveillance camera taking the boxes.

Police said they found 18 paper boxes and various other vending machines when they raided their home. They are being held on felony theft charges.