Goshen man accused of stealing $20K in aluminum

A Goshen man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of stealing more than $20,000 in aluminum.

According to a police affidavit, police received two reports of stolen items from the Goshen area, including $8,400 worth of aluminum sprinkler wire and a $15,000 aluminum-enclosed sheep trailer.

Gaylen Travis Cook was identified as a suspect in both cases, and officers reportedly found several transactions with Cook at a metal recycling company, where he allegedly scrapped large amounts of aluminum. Officers obtained photographs of the scrapped items, which allegedly matched the description of the stolen property, according to the affidavit.

Cook allegedly told police he took the sprinkler wire with permission from the property owner, while he admitted taking and cutting up the trailer with the help of two other people, according to the affidavit. Cook was arrested on two charges of theft.