MURMANSK, RUSSIA — Some crafty thieves in Russia have managed to steal an entire bridge because why the hell not?<br /><br />The BBC reports that a criminal case has been launched after local prosecutors say unknown perps removed the main central span of a rail bridge in the Russian arctic region of Murmansk.<br /><br />The stolen metal is 23 meters long and weighs 56 tonnes. It was likely taken to be sold for scrap metal, which is a common problem in Russia.<br /><br />Residents noticed the bridge's disappearing act back in May. Photos on Russian social media site VK shows the bridge with its central section already gone.<br /><br />But chunks can still be seen on the river, which suggests the structure was first taken down before being taken apart.<br /><br />The Znak news website reports that the damage caused by the grand theft to the local company that owns it is 600,000 roubles, or roughly $9,000. <br /><br />According to state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the bridge had been disused, and the tracks lifted long ago. <br /><br />Back in its heyday, it was used to transport concentrated rare earth elements from a nearby plant, but became useless after the plant went bankrupt and closed shop in 2007.
