Alpine

A San Diego man suspected of removing guard rails from a freeway overpass in Alpine was arrested Thursday, sheriff’s deputies said.

A deputy driving east on Interstate 8 shortly before noon saw what he believed to be a stranded motorist in a car on the Peutz Valley overpass. The officer got off the freeway at the next exit and returned to help.

When he reached the scene, he found Michael Sullivan McMurtrey, a 30-year-old construction worker, standing under the overpass, deputies said. They said McMurtrey had tools with him, including a band saw, and that 16 rails had already been removed and stacked nearby.

Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Suzanne Hatcher said $20,000 worth of guard rails have been stolen in the county in the past few months. She said they are sold as scrap metal for $90 apiece.

McMurtrey was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and booked into County Jail.

The investigation is continuing.