Suspected Manhole Cover Thieves in Bloomingdale West Apprehended

Manhole covers have been put back where they belong in Bloomingdale West after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says they were stolen earlier today by two men who said they were going to sell the metal covers to be recycled.

Police arrested Kenneth Currey Pierce, 21, of 2126 86th St. S, Tampa, and Michael David Rowe, 26, of 4753 Red Pine Way, Wesley Chapel. Pierce is charged with grand theft and Rowe with grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies were sent to Isleton Drive and Canoga Park Drive at around 11 a.m. this morning after a neighbor reported a suspicious vehicle in the area. 

Deputies spotted a silver Chevrolet Avalanche around Canoga Park and Caliente drives that matched the description given by the neighbor. When they stopped the truck, they discovered 35 manhole covers in the bed, along with a 24-inch pry bar.

Rowe admitted to stealing the manhole covers out of Bloomingdale West to sell for recycling so he could make his truck payment, the sheriff's office said. 

Both men were taken into custody without incident.  Deputies then placed the manhole covers back in the various locations they were stolen from.