Dude, That's Metal

By Jess D'Amico in News on Apr 2, 2008 6:55PM

We guess this is what happens when you live in the suburbs. Oak Lawn has recently had a rash of theft. The object, manhole covers. There's been eight stolen since mid March, but authorities think it's more than just a prank.

Police suspect that the 125-pound covers are being sold to recyclers for cash, as the price of metal is at an all-time high. In fact, MetalPrices.com, which tracks the market price of metals, announced today that the cost of a bundle of scrap steel in the USA went up $150-$155 dollars, making the current price between $550-$565/GT (gross ton).

The mostly iron covers cost $150 each, but they cost the city $240 to replace with labor costs.

A similar fate is believed to have met the Newberry Library's 150-pound steel sculpture "Umanita", stolen in mid-February.

Lincoln Park manhole image by ManHole.ca