Device with radioactive material reported stolen

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 28, 2000

A construction device that contains small amounts of radioactive material was stolen from the back of a pickup truck overnight Wednesday, prompting police to warn the public about its potential danger.

The device measures soil density and is called a nuclear moisture density gauge. It contains small amounts of Americium 241 and Cesium 137, two radioactive elements. The gauge is owned by Qore Property Sciences of 1211 Tech Blvd. Company employee Nick Suarez had the device stored in the back of his covered pickup truck, which was parked in the driveway of his home at 2106 W Isabel St. Police said it was stolen between 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

The gauge had been removed from its protective case, police said. The gauge is approximately 15 inches long, 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall. It weighs about 80 pounds and is worth $10,000, police said.

Tampa Police Department spokesman Joe Durkin said he doesn't think the thieves knew what they were taking.

The device is only dangerous if tampered with, according to Adam Weaver, an environmental specialist for the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Radiation Control.

When a similar device was stolen last month, Weaver said to pose a serious risk, someone would have to break into the device, remove the radioactive elements and store the material in their pocket for days. Otherwise, he said, the threat is minimal.

Tampa Police investigators are asking anyone with knowledge of the theft to call (813) 273-0770.

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