Water Department employee accused of stealing $16K worth of brass nozzles

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- A City of Syracuse Water Department employee is accused of stealing brass nozzles for fire hydrants and then scrapping them for money.

Syracuse Police arrested 29-year-old Christopher Smorol, of Syracuse, on Thursday.

The Water Department reported the thefts on Wednesday and an investigation found that Smorol had scrapped the nozzles – valued at $16,000 – on numerous occasions over the past year, according to police.

Police say an audit will determine if any other thefts had occurred.

An investigation is ongoing.

Smorol is charged with grand larceny. He’s being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center and is expected to appear in court on Saturday.