From the ArcaMax Publishing, Weird News Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/weirdnews/s-183267-460215
ST. LOUIS (UPI) -- A 9-year-old girl fell into a manhole in St. Louis
after thieves reportedly stole 15 to 20 manhole covers to sell as
scrap metal.
Lance LeComb, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Sewer District, said
the covers have been replaced with concrete manhole covers, the St.
Louis Dispatch reported Monday.
"Obviously, the cement covers don't have the scrap-metal value of the
cast iron covers," said LeComb, adding that the concrete covers do
have more technical problems.
He also reported there were arrests made Friday night because of
people tampering with manhole covers, but on Saturday night, the
thieves struck again.
"We found out when the girl fell in," said LeComb.
KTVI-TV in St. Louis reported the girl was not seriously injured.
Each of the 20 or so manhole covers weighed 85 pounds, said LeComb.
"They're not easy to lift and manhandle," he said. "And when they're
over the hole, they're difficult to get out without a specialized
tool."