Thieves have lifted seven stormwater grates from the streets of Ellenboro.
Of all things that someone could take, the Ellenboro Mayor Jim Rhyne would never think of storm drain covers.
“This is something that doesn't normally happen in Ellenboro,” Rhyne says.
On Friday, Rhyne reported to authorities that six drain covers had disappeared, and then over the weekend another one was also taken.
“I think it’s an expense we could do without,” said Ellenboro resident Hank Martin.
While some people who live here are concerned about the unexpected expense of buying new grates, Rhyne is thinking about the dangers of having an uncovered drain.
"We came out and put the cones up and try to make our streets a little bit safer,” Rhyne says.
A tractor tire was placed over one of the drainage holes, which is about four-feet wide and four-feet deep to prevent a car from driving over it or someone falling in.
Crews have been able to replace two of the missing grates, but the remaining five will have to be ordered. Rhyne estimates the theft will cost the town around $3,000.
In the meantime, Rhyne hopes the cones and tire will be enough to alert people about the potential hazard until crews are able to install the covers.
“We will bolt them down,” adds Rhyne, “we will stop this problem.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office does not have any leads in the case. Investigators have alerted North Carolina scrap yards about the possibility of someone trying to sell stormwater drain covers.
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