Thieves swipe sewer grates in New Haven

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Police in New Haven are trying to figure out who's been swiping dozens of sewer grates from city streets.

Fair Haven Heights has been hit hard. At almost every turn of Russell Street new grates are visible. Police say they're replacing them as fast as they can.

"As soon as anything would be reported stolen, it would be taken care of," said David Hartman, New Haven Police, "even on the overnight, it would be an emergency."

If the gaping hole was left uncovered someone could be seriously hurt, and even killed. In the last three weeks, 40 sewer grates have been pried up from the street and stolen.

"I don't think it's right," said Cheryl D'Antonio, of New Haven.

D'Antonio lives in the area and says she has real concerns about it.

"People could fall in there and get really hurt," said D'Antonio, "or even an animal, a small little kitten or something could."

The city has taken the unprecedented step of spot-welding them in. You can see where they've done that in places, and now they're numbering the grates to keep track. Police say it's the bad economy that's driving this.

"Folks think they're gonna be able to turn these in for cash at a scrap metal dealer," said Hartman.

However, the city's been in touch with scrap metal dealers in the area and believe they would be pretty hard to pawn.

"They don't accept these storm grates, they wouldn't accept manhole covers," said Hartman, "they wouldn't accept a lot of things that are easily identifiable as stolen city property."

They're steel and each one weighs at least 130 pounds. They're big and bulky, so it's likely the work of more than one person.

Each one costs $230 to replace, so along with the safety hazard it's also a drain on city finances.

"We're looking at some leads now with a couple different vehicles that have been sighted," said Hartman.

Police say when they find the people responsible they will not only charge them with theft, but also reckless endangerment.