Authorities searching for man who stole propane tanks

Law enforcement officials in Northeast Philadelphia are on the lookout for a man who stole 43 tanks of industrial propane gas last week, police said Tuesday night.

The thefts have caught the attention of counterterrorism authorities. Surveillance video shows a man stealing 43 tanks from two commercial facilities and loading them into a dark-colored minivan, police said. The businesses are in the 2300 block of Church Street and the 4700 block of Pennypack Street.

The tanks varied in capacity from two pounds to 100 pounds, and included some that are used to power forklifts. - Robert Moran