BY SUSAN WARE

Thieves have lifted roughly 20 storm drain covers in the towns of Pembroke and Epsom, leaving dangerous gaping holes on the sides of the roads.

The storm drain covers, which cost the towns approximately $85 each to replace, started disappearing the third week in June, said Epsom Police Chief Wayne Preve.

“Hopefully, we will catch whoever is responsible for this before someone gets seriously hurt,” said Preve.

Storm drains are typically located on the side of the road, and if the grate is removed it leaves a treacherous gap in the roadway.

Preve said if a driver pulls over to the side of the road and does not see the missing storm drain cover, landing in the open drain will tear up a car’s front end. Worse, if a bicyclist, jogger or child comes across the open storm drain, a serious injury will likely result, he said.

“Right now, when we catch whoever is responsible for this, the charge is theft, and maybe reckless conduct. If someone gets hurt, everything changes and the charges are accelerated,” said Preve.

According to Preve, roughly a dozen storm drain covers have been stolen from Epsom before the culprit moved on to Pembroke, where on July 13, seven storm drain covers were stolen.

In Pembroke, Police Chief Scott Lane is working with Epsom to catch the thieves.

Both speculate the storm drain covers are being sold to salvage yards as scrap for approximately $4 to $8 each.

Lane said they have contacted all of the local salvage yards and have been assured that they will be called if anyone comes in wanting to hawk storm drain covers.

“In the past, stuff like this has been a prank. A single cover here or there, but this is much more serious,” said Lane.