SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Residents in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood say an overnight thief has been stealing sewer vent covers from sidewalks, creating safety hazards and leaving homeowners to pay for replacements, according to a report by ABC7 News.
Security camera footage reviewed by homeowners shows the suspect moving quickly from house to house, removing the covers in seconds, ABC7 reported.
"I could see the guy going along. And 15 seconds next one, 15 seconds. It took him no time at all. He was complete professional," Jessica Lipnack told the news outlet.
Residents told the station they now check their sewer vents daily, while some have covered exposed openings with traffic cones and makeshift markers to prevent injuries.
San Francisco Public Works has been issuing notices requiring homeowners to replace missing covers because the vents are part of private sewer laterals, ABC7 reported.
The San Francisco Police Department told ABC7 no arrests have been made. Meanwhile, frustrated neighbors have nicknamed the suspect the "Great Drain Robber."
Read the full story at ABC7 News.
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