Thieves Swiping Storm Grates In Midwest City

Midwest City Police are warning residents to be careful when driving and walking on city streets because thieves have removed some storm grates from streets around town.

The grates are made of steel and are very heavy. Each storm grate weighs about 100 pounds, but that's not stopping crooks from lifting them off the streets.

The Midwest City public works department replaced four in the last two weeks and Director Vaughn Sullivan fears the city is on track to meet the same number of storm grate thefts stolen in one month last year.

Steel prices are up, and Sullivan believes that's why thieves are targeting the grates. And he put scrap yards on notice is warning residents to watch where they step.

At the scrap yard, thieves will only get about $4 or $5 for one grate, but it cost Midwest City $100 to replace each stolen grate.

City crews are now welding the initials, MWC into the new grates.