Carol Stream police are on the lookout for a thief victimizing a number of area communities -- by stealing sewer grates.

Over the weekend 17 catch basin grates, the slotted grates that cover sewer lines, were stolen from Carol Stream's industrial park east of Gary Avenue between North Avenue and Lies Road.

Police were notified Friday by someone working in the industrial park that the first grate was gone. More were discovered missing when sewers were checked out on Sunday after the torrential rains hit the area.

Carol Stream is the latest town in DuPage County hit in recent months by such thefts, joining Winfield, Addison and, most notably, West Chicago, which is missing more than 70 of the grates since thefts were first reported in June.

Carol Stream Police Cmdr. Tom Miller said several towns are working in conjunction to find the offender and identify the scrap yard they are working with. Miller said the grates cost roughly $200 each to replace. They might be worth $20 in scrap value.

"My guess is they are probably scrapping them for the money," Miller said. "This is probably out of work people, they steal something that appears to be a victimless crime, they're given cash on the barrel and they're gone. Scrap yards are supposed to be reporting these. Obviously they're in good condition, and they are usable."

The grates, made of cast iron, are typically found on curbs to cover holes that collect runoff from rain and snow. They can also be in parking lots and on private property. Miller said these grates weigh close to 50 pounds depending on their size -- heavy enough for police to believe this is not a one-thief operation.

"Obviously, we are thinking there are at least two people involved here," Miller said.

The village began replacing the stolen grates on Friday with the inventory they had, keeping up with the thefts as they occurred and putting barricades over the openings of those not yet replaced.

Miller indicated there are no sidewalks or walkways in the areas of the thefts, but a vehicle driving close to the curb could be damaged.

"It's not meant to be a walked area, but potentially there is a hazard," Miller said, "and when it's raining, you don't see the grates missing."

Anyone with information can call the Carol Stream Police Department at (630) 668-2167.