Be On Lookout for Manhole Cover, Other Metal Thefts

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources is asking Duluth and other residents to be on the lookout for manhole cover and other metal thefts happening around the county.

Copper thefts have been a major issue for businesses and residents, and thieves have resorted to stealing Gwinnett County-owned manhole and drop inlet covers from sanitary and stormwater sewers as well as cast iron water meter covers, according to an announcement issued by the department.

In response to the increase in these kind of thefts, the Gwinnett County Police Department has formed a Metal Theft Unit within its Criminal Investigations Division. The unit recently made its first arrest.

“These covers are expensive, but we have to make sure we replace them quickly to ensure the safety of our residents,” said Lynn Smarr, acting Water Resources director, in the announcement. County vehicles are clearly marked and Water Resources employees wear uniforms. Replacing these stolen covers is a waste of water customers’ money.”

Residents are asked to call Gwinnett Police at (770) 513-5100 or Water Resources at (678) 376-7000 when they see anyone who is not a Water Resources staff person in a Gwinnett County vehicle removing manhole or drop inlet covers or if they notice a missing cover. Both lines are staffed 24 hours a day. 

“Missing manhole covers are a serious safety hazard for children, animals and adults, particularly at night,” Jeff Boss, Water Resoures field operations and maintenance division director, stated in the announcement. Residents are encouraged to take pictures of alleged thieves and their vehicles and to send them to Boss at jeff.boss@gwinnettcounty.com.

The Gwinnett Police Department’s new Metal Theft Unit investigates crimes involving metal theft (including copper), and works to ensure the compliance of secondary metal recyclers with state law, according to Cpl. Jake Smith.

While investigating the theft of steel I-beams at GP Enterprises in Auburn Nov. 16, detectives noticed fresh tire prints and footprints and found out that GP Enterprises security personnel had installed security cameras on the premises due to a prior incident. Officers discovered that a gray pickup truck had been recorded transporting the steel I-beams. The vehicle’s tag number was also captured, Smith reported.

Detectives tracked the vehicle back to Thomas Lee Davis, 56, of Hoschton, and the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating Davis at his residence. After interviewing Davis, detectives placed him under arrest for felony theft by taking, Smith said.

Again with the assistance of Barrow County deputies, detectives tracked the stolen I-beams to a secondary metal recycler in Auburn, who turned over a receipt for the sale to detectives. The I-beams were recovered and returned to GP Enterprises personnel, Smith reported. The Metal Theft Unit is investigating the possibility that Davis had accomplices, he said.

The metal recycler’s documents were instrumental in confirming the crime and recovering the victim’s property. Ensuring the compliance of these recyclers will be an important part of the new unit’s mission, Smith said.