I just thought some of you might get a kick out of this.


TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay-area detectives arrested a man on grand theft charges after he allegedly stole brass rollercoaster parts from Busch Gardens and resold them as scrap metal.

Richard Allen MacBay was arrested Friday. Hillsborough County authorities said the 36-year-old MacBay worked at the Busch Gardens theme park and turned in 97 pounds of brass plates to a scrap metal yard. The plates were worth $1,100.

Officials said the plates were used as rollercoaster brake pads. In a statement, Busch Gardens said the parts were out of service and the safety of the park's visitors was never at risk.

Park officials said MacBay had been a "rides tech" since 2009.

MacBay was booked into the Hillsborough County jail and released Sunday on bond. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney.