Thieves target manholes and sewers in Will County

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:28AM

WILL COUNTY — Prices for scrap metal have made manhole covers and sewer grates a popular target for thieves.

Joliet police report 63 covers and grates have been stolen throughout the city since November 2011.

Lockport, Romeoville and Shorewood police have also reported recent thefts.

“These thefts are thought to be occurring in the early morning to midday hours in newly developing subdivisions,” Lockport police said in a statement. “In one such incident suspects may have been wearing construction vests in an effort to blend in as doing sewer work.”

Lockport police also reported a tan Dodge van was seen in the area during some of the thefts, but acknowledged all of the incidents may not be related.

Anyone with information is asked to call their local police department or anonymously call CrimeStoppers at 800-323-6734.

In other police news:

James E. Gilmore: 53, of 221 Mississippi Ave. in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Tuesday on charges of driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.

James O. Spencer: 56, of 222 Mound St. in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Tuesday on a charge of driving on a suspended license.

Charles M. Burnett: 42, of 2508 Caddy Lane in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Tuesday on charges of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license and vandalism.

Jenny L. Gay: 28, of 2650 N. Normandy Ave. in Chicago, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Tuesday on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol.

Jose Calderon-Mascote: 28, of 605 Landau Ave. in Joliet, was arrested by sheriff’s police and booked into the county jail Tuesday on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license.