Someone Is Stealing 300-Pound Sewer Grates In Saugus

SAUGUS, MA — At least one determined sewer grate thief is at large. Actually, considering the weight of these things, it's probably more than one.

Saugus Police Chief Domenic DiMella said Thursday that there have been reports of 11 stolen sewer grates around town. Each grate weighs about 300 pounds. That's roughly 3,300 pounds of sewer grate.

The first theft was reported Wednesday night, when eight sewer grades were reported missing on Broadway.

In the first incident, reported Wednesday night, it was reported that someone or some group stole eight sewer grades from the area of 1565 Broadway.

The second incident was reported by the Department of Public Works, which said three grates were stolen from Essex Street near the Lynnhurst Elementary School.

Police said the thefts pose serious public safety hazard for vehicles and pedestrians, particularly the ones near the school.

Contact the Saugus Police Department at 781-941-1199 with information.

Photo (of much lighter manhole cover in Lynnfield) by Mike Carraggi, Patch