On April 14, Bothell Police Department detectives identified, located and arrested a 31-year-old man suspected of stealing more than 40 storm-drain covers throughout the city.

Over the past several weeks, more than 40 sewer lids and catch-basin lids were stolen from streets and private parking lots in Bothell, Capt. Denise Langford said in a press release.  These round or rectangular lids are two feet wide and when removed, leave uncovered holes in the ground that can pose a significant safety hazard to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Metal thefts have been a growing trend in the region, and the thieves often attempt to make money by reselling the items to metal recycling companies, the press release continued.  Detectives successfully recovered 56 stolen storm-drain covers.  The replacement cost to the city for each stolen cover ranges from $90-$130.

The suspect, who was previously arrested and booked into jail last month for several catalytic-converter thefts, was located at an Everett residence.  He confessed to the storm-drain-cover thefts and was booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

Probable-cause documents obtained by KOMO News reveal the arrested man is Shaun Stevens, an admitted heroin addict.  In the documents, investigators say Stevens was stealing the covers and grates and then selling them to scrap yards in Woodinville and Everett.

The court documents also say Stevens was arrested last month along with his wife for allegedly stealing more than 50 catalytic converters from cars and selling them to a scrap yard in Lynnwood.

Court documents say Stevens kept a spreadsheet indicating he had sold more than 2,200 pounds of metal grates and received more than $4,300 in payment just since the beginning of March.

He made an initial appearance in court last Friday where he posted bail and was released.