Newest theft target: sewer grates and manhole covers

These are heavy-duty thefts.

As in 80 to 100 pounds a pop.

Stormwater sewer grates have been vanishing from streets around south Snohomish County and other parts of the Puget Sound region.

In Bothell, more than 40 stormwater sewer covers disappeared in recent weeks. Police last week arrested a Redmond man and detectives believe he sold more than 22,000 pounds of storm drains and manhole covers to one scrap dealer, pocketing more than $4,300.

Mountlake Terrace had four grates stolen off its roads. In February, the south King County city of Kent saw nearly 40 storm drain grates and manhole covers stolen from neighborhood streets and businesses. And Kitsap County had to replace more than two dozen last summer.

Police say the stormwater grates are one more target for scrap metal thieves who in recent months have ripped off a wide variety of goods, such as bronze vases from an Everett cemetery and a giant 3,121-pound ship propeller from a Mukilteo maritime company.

“It’s a very national problem and Washington is not immune to it,” said John Carpita, a public works consultant with the Municipal Research and Service Center of Washington.

The man arrested in Bothell, 31, is under investigation for trafficking in stolen property. In addition to the 11 tons of grates and manhole covers sold in Woodinville, the man also is accused of selling 1,600 pounds of covers to an Everett recycler.

Bothell police recovered 67 missing sewer covers. Many likely belong to neighboring cities, Bothell police Capt. Denise Langford said.

The suspect allegedly told the dealers he worked for an asphalt company and the grates were surplus and being replaced as part of a road project. The manager of the Woodinville recycling company said the man brought in storm drain grates almost every day in a black 1983 pickup truck.

The man told police he stole to feed his drug habit, according to court papers.

His arrest doesn’t mean an end to thefts in other cities, Langford said.

“We know he is not the only guy out there,” she said.

Bothell public works officials estimate it costs up to $130 each to replace missing grates on public roads.

The bigger concern is the danger, Langford said. Bicyclists and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to falling through the uncovered holes.

“We were really concerned about it from a public safety standpoint,” she said.

Crews immediately block off areas when grates are missing.

Detectives have found good cooperation from scrap metal recyclers during their investigation, she said.

Scrap metal is an $85 billion industry each year in the United States, according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries in Washington, D.C. Thieves follow the market.

The man arrested in the Bothell thefts was arrested by police in March for investigation of stealing a different form of metal to sell for scrap. Bothell detectives believe he and his former wife stole more than 50 catalytic converters from cars in Seattle and five Eastside cities.

Mountlake Terrace had four sewer covers stolen. They were taken from a street near a ramp leading to I-5.

Curt Brees, Mountlake Terrace public works director, said other metals, such as copper wire, are lighter and more profitable in the scrap metal market.

“It’s not normally a high-volume market, but there is a lot of weight to them,” he said of drain grates and manhole covers.

In Kent, police don’t have a suspect in the rash of storm drain grates and manhole cover thefts that have occurred over recent months.

“It’s kind of a sporadic problem,” Kent police Lt. Pat Lowery said. “We have some disappear, then the problem seems to move to another jurisdiction.”

Kent road crews have been bolting their grates in place to prevent future thefts, but it’s a gradual process with roughly 20,000 grates and 16,000 manholes in the city.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.