Alleged Downspout Thief Turns Himself in to Police

Swampscott police reported this afternoon that a Lynn man has confessed to stealing copper downspouts in town.

Swampscott police Det. Tim Cassidy said that Stephen Marshall, 35, of 51 Coburn St., Lynn will be charged with six counts of larceny over $250 and six counts of malicious destruction of property over $250 for stealing from the following locations: the Holy Name Church, twice; Swampscott Town Hall; 143 Burrill St.; 23 Littles Point Road; and 23 Paradise Road.  

The thefts are still under investigation and anyone with information pertaining to the second male suspect is asked to please call Swampscott Police detectives at 781-595-1111


Swampscott Detectives Rose Cheever and Detective Ted Delano have been working around the clock in an attempt to identify the persons involved in stealing the Swampscott downspouts, said Det. Cassidy. The first of the missing copper pieces were recognized as missing on Jan. 9.

Police recently released video to the media showing two male suspects taking copper from a Burrill Street location.

Subsequently, Swampscott detectives received information from Beverly police detectives and other individuals that one of the male parties may be a Stephen Marshall, who operates a small gold Ford pickup with a cap on it.

Detective Delano made contact with Marshall and set up a time for an interview at the Swampscott Police Station today, Thursday, Jan. 16.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., today, Sgt Kable the officer in charge of the Swampscott Police Station observed a Channel 5 news truck parked in the police station lot, police said.

Sgt Kable asked what they were waiting for and they replied that they had received a tip that the copper thief was turning himself in, police said.

"It was later learned that Marshall had called Channel 5 himself to admit his wrong doings in Swampscott,"said Det. Cassidy. "Marshall gave Channel 5 an interview and then came into the station where he was immediately identified by Det. Delano as being one of the parties in the past stolen copper downspout video."

The man then identified himself to Swampscott detectives. He was placed under arrest without incident. 

Patch will report additional information as it becomes available.