A man was arrested on Wednesday for his connection to the disappearance of several manhole covers across the city, and confessed he stole the covers in order to feed a drug addiction.
The New York Post reports that 46-year old Andrew Modica has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property and criminal impersonation.
Earlier this month, witnesses reported spotting thieves donning utility-style clothing-- without Con Edison's official label-- prying away at the manhole covers and surreptitiously packing them into trucks.
More than 30 manhole covers have gone missing since early March, Reuters reports. A Con Edison representative said, "Stealing manhole covers is dangerous. Anyone who steals these covers creates a serious hazard for pedestrians and motorists."
But is the danger worth the booty? Probably not.
According to Modica, who told The Post he uses the money to purchase crack, cocaine, and heroin, a 320-pound manhole cover could fetch up between 12.5 to 15 cents per pound, which amounts to a rather measly $40 to $48 per steal. Replacing a manhole costs $200.
Modica admitted to some of the thefts but insists he's innocent when it comes to other missing covers.