I would actually like to witness someone stealing a manhole cover. That sounds like a difficult way to make a hundred bucks- those suckers are heavy.
From the Trib:
A jump in the price of scrap iron could explain a spree of manhole cover thefts, city officials said Thursday.The city's Department of Water Management has replaced more than 150 manhole covers so far this month, “which represents a sharp increase,” said department spokesman Tom LaPorte.
“This is a crime, but it is also a safety issue,” he said. “These holes are a danger to pedestrians and drivers.”
Water department workers have noticed the greatest number of exposed manholes in alleys and side streets on the South and Southwest Sides. Perforated manholes are the most popular among thieves, LaPorte said, because the holes make them easier to remove.
Hell, in B'more they steal entire street lights.