A Portland man and a teenager face felony theft charges after they were found trying to sell stolen manhole covers in a load of scrap metal, police said.

City officials were notified by residents that many manhole covers and sewer grates had been taken Sunday night. Thirteen were found Monday in the scrap pile at Schnitzer Steel on Somerset Drive, which does not accept them because of the likelihood they may be stolen

Then this morning, at about 7 a.m., another load showed up in which 12 of the covers were mingled in. The covers weigh about 300 pounds and cost the city $130 each.

Police charged Charles Roberts, 18, and a 16-year-old Portland teen with felony theft because the combined value of the stolen covers exceeds $2,000, police said.
 

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