It's a growing problem around the country and right here in our area.
People are stealing sewer grates, causing taxpayer a lot of money and creating a dangerous atmosphere.
The grates weigh about 100 pounds, cost roughly $400 to replace, but only cash in for a few bucks.
That's not stopping thieves from stealing the grates and taking them to scrap yards.
Just this week, police say two brothers took nearly $500,000 worth of sewer grates from the Philadelphia area and sold them for pennies on the dollar.
Michael Alkahl is the director of public works for the city of Bethlehem and said, "They did a lot of work for not a lot of pay probably."
Police said the brothers sold them for $9 each.
Alkahl said there was a rash of sewer grate thefts in the city.
About 60 were stolen, leaving open holes in sidewalks and streets, creating a dangerous atmosphere and costing taxpayers about $15,000 to replace them.
Someone was arrested in that case, thanks to workers at H. Blinderman and Son, INC in Hellertown.
The scrap yard's system helped track down the thief for police.
Brian Kozlowski works at the business and said, "Somebody was stealing storm grates in the city of Bethlehem like crazy. Who caught them, look at me, I did."
When materials come into the scrap yard workers grade, weigh, and photograph them, then the customer must show a valid ID.
Kozlowski said without a picture, the customer will not get any money.
The ID is scanned and stays in the computer forever.
He said, "People didn't realize that they were going to have to give this kind of personal information to sell scrap and some of the stuff is very obviously stolen."
Alkahl said the city doesn't have a problem anymore, but leaders will look into the issue as needed.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/1CRmQf7
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire