2 Mexicans Plead Guilty in Manhole Cover Thefts
Two Mexican nationals pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony charges stemming from the theft of hundreds of manhole covers, storm drain gates and water meter covers to sell for scrap metal.
Antonio Lopez, 23, and Efrain Deleon Barrios, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving stolen property and one count of grand theft.
The two were arrested July 18 on suspicion of stealing manhole covers, storm drain grates and water meter covers in the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Vernon. In their truck, officers found more than 300 covers and grates weighing about a ton, which the two men were about to sell for $75, police said. Scrap dealers said they could have made 30 times as much by recycling soft-drink cans.
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