Elma, NY, March 10, 2012 - According to a BuffaloNews.com article Paul Phillians, 51, and his brother Gary Jr., 47, both of Elma, have been accused of repeatedly targeting a vacant Town of Elma property for items to sell as scrap metal.

The crimes occurred during January and February and the arrest of the brothers was the result of a month-long investigation by officers in the Erie County Sheriff Department.

According to BuffaloNews.com, the brothers allegedly made multiple visits to a property where they took a horse trailer, farm tractor, a van and removed aluminum siding from the house.

Deputies said the horse trailer and aluminum siding were sold to a local recycling business.

The horse trailer and tractor were recovered, deputies said, but the van already had been sold for scrap.

The brothers were charged with misdemeanor counts of trespassing, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Paul Phillians was also charged with a felony count of grand larceny. Both have been released on appearance tickets pending proceedings in Elma Town Court.

This is not the first time we have seen a horse trailer stolen and used for scrap metal. We here at Stolen Horse International know it will not be the last.

Resource: BuffaloNews.com, http://www.buffalonews.com/city/police-courts/police-blotter/article756493.ece