STOLEN STEEL: Storm grates, manhole covers being lifted for scrap value

Staff Report

Jill Pickett

A truck passes by a storm drain and manhole this week on Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown. Storm drain and manhole covers in town have been stolen, likely to sell as scrap metal.

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ELIZABETHTOWN — Pedestrians and motorists are being advised to take caution when traveling city streets where manhole covers and storm drain grates may or may not be where they're supposed to be.

Elizabethtown Police Detective Pete Chytla reported Monday that up to 60 manhole and storm drain covers had been stolen — apparently by scrappers intending to cash in on the 11 cents per pound price for scrap steel. The grates and storm water covers weigh up to 200 pounds each.

No one suspected of taking the grates has been caught in the act and police have no descriptions of people involved in the alleged steel thefts.

Along with the cost to the city for replacing the covers, Chytla said he’s worried that an unsuspecting runner or dog walker may fall into one of the uncovered drains.

“It’s as much about safety as it is about the theft,” Chytla said. “Just the other day, a whole neighborhood off Pear Orchard Road was cleaned out” of the covers.

Anyone with information about the thefts may contact Hardin County Crime Stoppers at (800) 597-5380.

Radcliff spokesman Bryce Shumate said grates and manhole covers were removed from northern Hardin County communities several months ago.

Shumate also said it may be time to weld the covers into place.