Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe CHICAGO, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Driving and walking on Chicago's city streets became an adventure this month after thieves pilfered more than 150 iron manhole covers, officials said. Tom Laporte, spokesman for the city's Department of Water Management, said more than 40 manhole covers were stolen and replaced on one day alone. A typical sewer covers weighs about 125 pounds and costs $45, but they are worth only a few dollars at local scrap yards. Advertisement Theft of manhole covers is a bigger safety concern than a financial one for the city. "If your car goes into an open manhole, you're in for major repairs," Camden told the Chicago Sun-Times. "And God forbid if a pedestrian falls in, because it's a long way down." Most of the purloined manhole covers were stolen from streets and alleys on the city's South and Southwest sides. Steel catch basin grates on curbs also are being carted off. Chicago has about 300,000 sewer, catch basin and manhole covers. Reputable scrap dealers will not buy streetlight poles, guardrails or manhole covers.
