Police: Homeless Man Stole 60-Pound Beacon Off Zakim Bridge

BOSTON (CBS) – A homeless man was arrested for allegedly stealing a 60-pound aircraft warning light from the Zakim Bridge in Boston, believed to be the second he has taken in recent years.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Clifford Beckford Jr., 34, who is believed to be homeless and living out of his car. Police said he was taken into custody Tuesday night at a relative's house in Melrose.

According to police, Beckford broke into a tower on the Leonard P. Zakim Bridge in Boston, and stole a light that has a red lens, is about 18 inches in diameter, and measures at about three feet tall.

Beckford was charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny from a building, receiving stolen property, malicious damage of property over $250, committing injury to a bridge and defacement of property.

"Because of the nature of the crime, troopers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force became involved in the investigation," police said. "We have determined that Beckford was not attempting to commit a terrorist act, probe the bridge's security system, or cause an aircraft to hit the tower. State Police are satisfied that the act of the theft itself was Beckford's goal."

Police added that it appears Beckford scaled down a ladder while carrying the beacon, left the tower and placed the light on a snowbank. He then allegedly walked to his car, drove back to pick up the beacon and left the area.

Officers eventually tracked down the beacon at Warren Tavern in Charlestown. Police said Beckford recently left the light outside the business.

A bar employee had taken the beacon and placed it in the basement, not knowing what it was, police said.

State police believe Beckford stole another beacon when the bridge was being built in the early 2000s.

It was recently left anonymously at the office of the Bostonian Society.

Beckford was arraigned on Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.