Manhole thefts costing Georgia $500,000

ATLANTA, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Georgia Department of Transportation said at least 645 grates and 20 manhole covers have been stolen from Atlanta-area streets since last spring.

GDOT spokesman Mark McKinnon said the thefts are costing the state more than $500,000 in tax payer funds, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday.

"This is just more money going out the door that shouldn't be because of theft," McKinnon said. "Other things may certainly suffer if we can't get these stopped."

McKinnon said the thieves would likely get only $8 or $9 for recycling a single manhole or grate, but investigators have been unable to find any of them at area scrap yards and recycling centers.

"People are risking jail time for $9 or $10 and an awful lot of work," he said.