June 23, 2011 Miami security officer nabs man stealing manhole covers www.privateofficer.com
He was arrested by Miami police on the early hours of May 12, after Buena Vista Security and Protection Agency Security Officer Richard Celestine spotted him removing a cover and called it in.
The Buena Vista Security and Protection Agency is a private company that patrols the neighborhood. They are contracted by the Wynwood Art District Association, a group of business owners dedicated to promoting the arts.
Celestine said Chesnut told him he was stealing the manhole lids because “they were not filled with water, so he thought he could take them [and] he was just trying to feed his family.”
He was charged with two counts of third degree grand theft, which means he can serve a maximum of five years in jail and have to pay a $5,000 fine; his bond is set at $10,000.
According to the police report, the arrest was made at NW. Sixth Ave. and 23rd Street, where Celestine said Chesnut pleaded to be left alone so he could continue removing the lids.
“I was patrolling the area and from a far he looked like a professional working on the road, but when I got closer I realized what he was doing,” Celestine said.
Chestnut said he was selling the stolen metal covers for 25 cents a pound, according to the police report.
People started noticing manholes without their lids in February. From then on, two or three covers were disappearing every morning, according to Officer Felix Gonzales with the Buena Vista Security and Protection Agency.
On June 10, there were at least 12 manholes lacking their covers in Wynwood. Celestine said that Buena Visa has documented eight instances of people falling inside the manholes and three in which cars were damaged.
Cristina Fernandez, public information coordinator for the city of Miami, confirmed that approximately 30 manholes have been missing since February in Wynwood alone. Fernandez also said there has been about 120 missing lids in the entire city.
Security officer Rivera said the covers weight approximately 100 pounds, which means Chestnut was making about $25 per cover.
Chesnut is currently awaiting a trial hearing scheduled for Sep. 26 at a Miami-Dade correctional facility near Doral.
In the meantime, Public Works is in the process of replacing the stolen pieces, which will cost the city approximately $3,300, according to Fernandez. The city has already ordered the covers, which are expected to arrive toward the end of the month.
Source:www.miamiherald.com
Tags: Buena Vista Security and Protection Agency Security Officer Richard Celestine, Walter Chesnut
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