Alleged Manhole Cover Thief Arraigned

A Winthrop man charged with stealing manhole covers and storm drains from streets was ordered held on $6,000 cash bail Thursday.

Michael Feudo, 38, of 78 Atlantic St., Winthrop, pleaded innocent Thursday morning in Lynn District Court to ten counts of larceny over $250.

Judge Joseph Jennings ordered Feudo to return to court on Dec. 19 for a pretrial hearing.

According to court documents, officers representing several North Shore police departments were looking into the recent thefts of sewer grates and manhole covers from Lynn, Revere and Swampscott.

Feudo admitted, while being interviewed by Revere detectives, to also stealing covers in Lynn and Swampscott, police said.

Nov. 3, in the early morning hours, 10 cast-iron storm drain covers were stolen from Swampscott streets leaving gaping holes that put motorists and pedestrians at risk, police said.

Swampscott streets targeted on Nov. 3, were Fuller Ave, Pine Hill Road, Beverly Road, Shelton Road, Bradlee Ave, Phillips Ave and Harrison Ave. 

The total value of the 10 covers was $6,350, according to Swampscott DPW Director Gino Cresta, police said.

Thieves take storm drain covers and sell them for their metal value, Det. Cassidy said earlier.