SAN ANTONIO -- It's a crime that could have dangerous consequences: a thief's greed injured a woman on the west side Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters rescued a 20-year-old woman who fell 10 feet into a manhole, which was missing its cover. She was not seriously hurt. A man walking by heard her screams and a neighbor called 911. Authorities said she fell in at about 2:45 p.m. on W. Cesar Chavez, near S. San Felipe.
Public Works Assistant Director Mike Rogers said within the last two years, the city has replaced 534 stolen manhole covers with covers that lock. He says it's a rising crime that's a "big problem" for the city.
Rogers said Public Works has gotten a description of a vehicle that may be connected to the crimes.
"A white pickup truck that looks very similar to what we use for official city business. However, they do not have emblems on them," he said. Any city worker will be in a city vehicle with a city emblem on the side. Rogers said the criminals may be dressing similarly to city workers, with hard hats and vests.
If you spot any suspicious activity around a manhole, call 311 or 911. The city will replace missing covers, if it is reported to 311.
