Bathroom Thief on the Loose in Sioux Falls Area reports CallAPlumber.net

(EstateNewsWire.com, October 05, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA- Authorities are on the lookout for a thief in the Sioux Falls area. As many as a dozen restaurants and buildings have come forward to report a number of thefts that occurred in their respective bathrooms.

The first reports began on Thursday when numerous businesses reported missing toilet and urinal parts. Since then the thefts have continued. So far, authorities have release some of the business names that have been targeted by the thief. Dairy Queen, The Royal Fork, and Burger King are among some of the victimized chains.

Plumbing companies such as Hander Inc. Plumbing & Heating as well as Frisbee Plumbing have stated that the issue is creating a problem. They have received over a dozen calls from businesses needing replacement parts in a five day period.

While the thefts seem as though it could be something out of a prank book, the issue is creating major problems for the businesses involved. A plumber for Hander Inc. Plumbing & Heating, Lonny Van Westen, stated “It’s not sanitary. You have to close it down. It’s out of order when you don’t have a fixture with a flush valve.”

Authorities believe the thefts could be happening because of the resale value of the stolen brass parts. In this economy, brass sells for about $1.50 a pound. The stolen parts could bring in at least $10 per toilet. And while $10 does not seem like much, the cost of the needed repairs varies greatly. Censor flushers are costing business owners $400 while the more traditional flushers cost $260.

Officer Sam Clemens stated “There’s probably more out there; we’ve got, I believe 12 reports of different piping or valves that were taken from toilets.” What is more, plumbing experts say that even the most inexperienced of thieves could be committing these acts. According to them it requires only standard tools and about three minutes of time.

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Jerry Michael Eaton

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