Crime

Thieves Steal 15 Metal Storm Grates in Calif. City

Officials in Union City, Calif., have dealt with theft before, but they’ve rarely had to deal with people stealing storm drain grates.

“People are coming out in the middle of the night, prying them up and are stealing them,” Cmdr. Ben Horner of the Union City Police told CBS San Francisco.

A total of 15 metal grates have been stolen in the past three weeks, according to city officials.

“To date, we haven’t had any accidents,” said Horner, referring to the gaping holes the thefts have left behind. “But one of the reasons we want to put out the message was so that parents, cyclists, and pedestrians would be on the lookout, so they don’t fall into one.”

The majority of the thefts have occurred in the city’s industrial center.

Watch the CBS San Francisco news update:

The thefts are a strain on the city’s time and money. For instance, when 20 grates were stolen in Vallejo, Calif., last year, it cost the city $350 to replace each one.

And then there is the time it takes to replace the covers.

“[T]hey have to shut down what they are doing, pull away to come out here, find out what size the grate is, go get the replacement, put it back in,” Ray Fitch of city’s public works department said referring to the man-hours it takes to replace each stolen grate. “So it’s a significant amount of time.”

But what’s truly puzzling is the fact that the 100 lbs. grates are only worth about $10-$20. Seems like an awful lot of work for no payoff, right?

“The DA’s office is so sick and tired of these crimes that they take it very seriously and they hammer them when they catch them,” said Horner.

Comments (57)

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  • freedom_gurl35
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 3:48pm

    This is happening everywhere. Greenville, SC has seen a spree of storm drain grates being stolen, and they can’t (or won’t) replace them because the city is broke.

    Sign of the times. How I wish politicians and the media would pull their heads from their butts and see the “Great Recession” (as I’ve seen it called) never ended!

    Report Post » freedom_gurl35  
    • philipzhao
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 7:10pm

      True, it’s happening in Taipei as well. The storm-grates are made of styrofoams and you find fake or no ditches underneath !

      Report Post »  
    • Yeah_Buddy
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:21am

      Probably gubbermint workers stealing them to keep themselves busy. Why would you steal grates when its obvious to scrap yards they are stolen and they have to ask for ID these days?

      Report Post »  
  • Ted Zeppelin
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 10:20am

    Someone told the stupid f king federal felon illegals the grates were made out of copper.

    The city should go to the scrap yards and buy the grates back for thirty cents a pounnd which then becomes $350 when a couple of union slugs would have to load them.

    Report Post »  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 8:56am

    Put one across a couple of cinderblocks and…voila…a barbecue grill.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 8:27am

    Damn it, this is more stimulus! These proactive citizens are making good gubment work!

    Report Post »  
  • RedDawn2012
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 7:17am

    As much as I despise Islam, I must say that it’s solution to thievery, cutting off the hands of a thief, is looking more and more attractive.

    Report Post » RedDawn2012  
  • Caballosinnombre
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 3:21am

    California has a great economy. Jobs are plentiful and everyone is making a lot money. There’s no reason for them to steal. Right?….. Right? Riiiiiight.

    Report Post »  
    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:34am

      Pretty soon they’ll start stealing downpipes and gutters too.

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • Yoselahonda
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:08am

      A very common problem in Southern California cities right now is people stealing the copper wiring from street lights. I’m waiting to find a fried thief one of these morning because they are putting themselves at risk stealing live wire, but I also get the feeling they know what they’re doing since they continue to do it. Frequently a light’s wires will be replaced and within the week they are gone again. Socialism makes for such a happy, law abiding citizenry doesn’t it?

      Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:21am

    What the heck, leave them alone. They just want to buy some more of that dope you all legalized. You ask for it, now eat it, dumbazzes.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:48am

    “For instance, when 20 grates were stolen in Vallejo, Calif., last year, it cost the city $350 to replace each one.”

    “But what’s truly puzzling is the fact that the 100 lbs. grates are only worth about $10-$20. Seems like an awful lot of work for no payoff, right?”

    Something doesnt add up here. Sounds like someone is selling the government their own covers back for a bit more than 10 to 20 dollars.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:22am

      Those in the goernment are probably doing it making like they are buying some more, but using the old ones. Or they are paying for all that dope they are legalizing out there in that sorry place.

      Report Post » blackyb  
  • headbtweenlegs
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:35am

    It cost the city $350.00 to replace each one but it’s worth $10 to $20 at the scrap yard for the thieves?

    New Grate: $50.00

    Installing grate by city employee: $300.00

    The effects of an OBAMA economy PRICE LESS!

    Report Post » headbtweenlegs  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:56am

      I hear ya there in Detroit they swipe the light post and bridge grating.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:24am

      This is their “freedom” they want. They like the lawlessness. It is a game to them as long as the tax payer pays the freight.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:49am

      So Bastait was all wet? Hmmm, who knew?

      Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
  • marcus_arealius
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:30am

    Now come on, these thefts stimulate the economy, The thieves make a few bucks, the scrap dealers make a few bucks, the iron processor makes new stuff from the metal, the grate manufacturers make more grates, truck drivers load and deliver them, city workers install them, city paper pushers handle all the paperwork, pay the vendor, etc.. and so the marvelous cycle of capitalism goes round and round. What the hell is wrong with that? Even the cops have something to do, yeah and you DA guys too.

    Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:26am

      They just turn them loose and it all starts over again. Quite the deal for capitolism, eh?

      Report Post » blackyb  
  • no1jyd
    Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:03am

    I have got the sulution cut off all the welfare payments until someone rats them out. That will not take long crime solved in record time.

    Report Post »  
  • LVQT
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 11:34pm

    The same thing is happening here in Las Vegas. I‘m surprised someone hasn’t already fallen into one of the open holes left behind.
    The crazy thing that gets me is the people who seem to think it’s ok because “oh well, if they didn’t need the money, they wouldn’t have to resort to such things.” Unbelievable.

    Report Post » LVQT  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:55pm

    With all the cities in California going bankrupt maybe it was just the company that made them doing a repo for non payment.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:29am

      That is a thought worth wondering, too. Lol.

      Report Post » blackyb  
  • Lemacs
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:47pm

    If it only is worth $10 to $15 bucks why does the city pay $350 bucks for them.

    Report Post »  
    • IBHowe
      Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:57pm

      that’s the cost of just the raw steel (at a recycling center), to make it obviously costs more…

      Report Post » IBHowe  
    • 19RANDY59
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:01am

      Why don’t the city buy them back from the scrap yard?

      Report Post » 19RANDY59  
  • Tomfang
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:34pm

    We are building a road in South Carolina and have had a dozen grates stolen. The next ones will be welded in place

    Report Post »  
  • mtsnj
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:31pm

    Just go to the salvage yards to get them back, it’s stolen property.

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 9:08am

      Why don’t you go down to EVERY scrap yard and search for those grates? It would take HOURS at every scrap yard and you wouldn’t find anything.
      I go “hunting” at an auto recycling center and it’s a real trip through Wonderland.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:25pm

    The headline should have read: “Illegal mexicans steal grates”.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:21pm

    One would think that the scrap yards would do the right thing and call the police when these types of items show up on their premises. Seems to me besides being the moral thing to do it would be their civic duty. Besides all that, I’m sure receiving stolen goods is against the law. Arrest a few managers and I’ll bet they catch alot more theives, not to mention retreive the ill gotten booty.

    Report Post »  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:36pm

      JUST – Most scrap yard operators think there Civic Duty is to make money anyhow,anyway. As, for calling the police- They provide their own security…….

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:19pm

    …
    Scrap metal is not carried to scrap yards on the backs of Sherpas. There is a vehicle, with a driver. The driver of the vehicle should be held responsible for any metal carried in his or her vehicle, to the scrap yard.
    Scrap metal yards could curb thefts, by requiring the seller of scrap metal (the driver) to show a valid driver’s license, and let the junk yard make a copy of their license, to keep with the record of the pay out. Also, don’t pay in cash. Check only.

    Report Post »  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:16pm

    They need to secure them better so that bolt cutters can’t be used. To remiove them they need to use fancier and noisier tools.

    I figure it is just plain vandalism so that if someone gets hurt they can sue the city.

    Report Post »  
    • Tractorboy
      Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:31pm

      I have the perfect program for California, just send each welfar recipient a grate with each check, then they would leave the ones in the road alone.

      Report Post » Tractorboy  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 9:03am

      tractorboy
      Send them a grate INSTEAD of their PA check with a message that every time a grate gets stolen this will happen. Let them police their own neighborhoods.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • sct989
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:15pm

    who cares

    Report Post »  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:15pm

    Someone is prepping their Zombie proof bus!

    Report Post »  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:14pm

    California, your crop is coming in. Sow it.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:11pm

    Sounds like someone is doing this for the disruption it causes to the city and people in the areas more than just for the value of salvage and scrap metals.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • helmuit_7
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:17am

      I‘ve been wondering why they haven’t been stealing the manhole covers too. Wonder what it is about a grate that makes it better to steal than a manhole cover? Right now, that zombieproof bus sounds like an idea, or maybe they are going to have a bbq. The rest of my ideas are really out there like a ‘dummy’ entrance to a tunnel (not really a storm drain) or another way to create ventilation along an underground excavation. Then of course they could also sell them as ‘grates’ to someone that could use a discount solving runoff problems to fields or paved ares… [told ya they was OUT THERE]

      Report Post » helmuit_7  
    • blackyb
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:28am

      That is possibly their little part for disruption. Could be, but then they get money for these things too, so I guess it is more breaking the finances one way or the other.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 31, 2012 at 9:10am

      @Helmuit You can’t make a barbecue out of a manhole cover.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 30, 2012 at 10:06pm

    And yet no one noticed due to the pot holes and potheads.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
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