Three local residents have been charged with felonies in connection with the theft of nearly 960 pounds of a bronze alloy often used to make parts for U.S. Navy ships, the Auburn Police department said.

Michael Jones, 46, and his nephew, Dana Jones, 28, were arrested Monday after they were accused of cutting several 12-foot long metal rods in half at an Auburn business in order to fit them into the back of their truck on June 9, police said.

The Columbus Street business that owned the rods did not discover the theft until June 11, police said.

Both men are accused of transporting the metal to a Seneca County scrap yard, where workers write down identification information and license plate numbers of people bringing in high-value items, police said. Employees at the scrap yard later learned of the metal rod theft in Auburn and then called police to report the possible crime.

All the rods have been recovered, police said.

Also charged in the incident is Dana Jones' fiancee, Marjorie Johnson, 41, who is accused of driving the truck, police said.

The two men are charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny, and Johnson is charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, all felonies.

All three were arraigned in Auburn City Court and remanded to the Cayuga County Jail, where Dana Jones, of 8079 High St., was released on $5,000 bail and Johnson, of the same address, was freed on $1,500 bail. Michael Jones, of 4944 Route 34B, Fleming, remains in the jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.