Manhole Thief Stole Joliet's Manhole Covers Over And Over, Now He's Finally Captured: JPD
By John Ferak
Published on March 16, 2026.
The Joliet Police Department has made its first manhole arrest of the year, with 58-year-old James F. Smith III. The incidents occurred between March 7 and March 9, with multiple reports of stolen manhole covers. Smith was taken into custody and charged with felony theft of government property, felony theft and felony retail theft. The thefts were believed to have been committed by the same person.
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