Police in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, said Monday they have arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of stealing at least 100 metal grates from roadside gutters since May.

According to police, Michiharu Nakayobo, a construction worker, has admitted to stealing the grates used to cover drainage ditches at the side of the road. He was quoted as saying his income had dropped and he had stolen at least 100 grates to sell as scrap metal so he could make a bit of extra money, Fuji TV reported.

Police said that in November, Nakayobo — who lives in Yao, Osaka Prefecture — stole six grates worth about 110,000 yen from roads in Mihara Ward. Street surveillance camera footage showed him picking up grates and loading them onto a small truck.

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