Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini and Police Chief Alan DeNaro last week announced that the Haverhill Police Department had arrested 28-year-old Haverhill resident Donald Plourde in connection with the theft of 14 manhole covers, which often sell for $2,000 each.
Plourde, who was also charged with distributing a class A substance and being present where heroin was found, is being held at Middleton Correctional Facility until his continued trial date of Sept. 30.
"This situation with open manholes and storm drains could have grown increasingly dangerous for motorists, pedestrians and animals," the Mayor said. "We were extremely concerned that a young child would fall into one of the holes left by these thefts."
Fiorentini credited the police department with preventing the alleged stealing spree from becoming a larger issue.
"These thefts were a problem, but the quick work of the Haverhill police prevented the problem from becoming a crisis," he said. "Those who steal city supplies need to know that the Haverhill Police Department, working with residents of the community, will get their man and prosecute that individual to the fullest extent of the law."
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