Politics & Government

Thieves Steal 20 Bethlehem Storm Sewer Grates

City police seek public's help in finding those responsible for stealing $5,000 in city property. Each grate weighs more than 100 pounds and is worth $250.

 

Thieves have stolen 20 storm sewer grates from the streets of Bethlehem in the last few days, Bethlehem police said Wednesday.

City officials are now seeking the public’s help in capturing whoever is responsible, while also sounding a note of caution for pedestrians who, if not careful, could step into a hole that has not been re-covered.

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Each of the grates weighs more than 100 pounds and is valued at more than $250, according to the Bethlehem Police blog. That amounts to more than $5,000 worth of city property stolen. The thefts have all occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 a.m., police said.

Police are surmising that the thieves are stealing the grates to sell them for scrap “or to weigh down items being sold for scrap so that the seller gets more money in return.”

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Det. Jason Fulmer at 610-997-7682 or Det. Lt. Mark DiLuzio at 610-865-7672.

Police also asked the following:

“If you see anyone tampering with a storm grate [or any City property] please call 911 immediately. It is best to be a good witness and get the description of the people involved, car make/model/color/license plate, and their direction of travel.”


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