US police find stolen Ohio bridge and thief

Commuinty members cut down downed trees in their yard in Beavercreek, Ohio. Photo: AFP

A 18-meter-long pedestrian bridge stolen from an Ohio city in November has been found and a man is facing charges.

Akron police said investigators on Friday afternoon found the missing span partially disassembled on property in Sharon Township. A man has been arrested and charged with felony theft, police said.

The Akron bridge, described as a Lego-like structure, once crossed a river in a local park. It was taken down in 2003 as part of a wetland restoration project and was stored on park property with plans for it to be reused for a Battered Women's shelter project.

Police discovered that someone had removed the treated deck boards of the 3-meter-wide, 2-meter-tall structure. A few days later, they found that the metal frame had been taken.

A 63-year-old man was charged with felony theft, according to Akron police and court records. Authorities alleged that he paid a trucking company for crane service and the firm picked up the bridge and took it to Medina County.

AP