Metal thieves have been making off with an alarming number of storm-drain covers despite the fact they're pretty darn heavy, the Vancouver Province reports.

So far in November, 13 of the 63-kilogram covers have disappeared in Vancouver. The city lost 92 in June alone, according to a Vancouver Police Department news release.

"Missing covers pose a significant public safety risk. Pets, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists could all be seriously harmed by an open catch basin," said Bruce Todd, the city's superintendent of sewer operations.

"In the dark, people may not recognize that a catch basin is missing or the open hole may be covered with leaves and debris making it harder to distinguish the hole from solid ground."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/vancouver-metal-thieves-pick-dangerous-target-street-storm-170430344.html