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'Great Drain Robber': San Francisco neighborhood plagued by repeated sewer cover thefts at night
By Luz Pena at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· July 4, 2026
· 1 min read
Residents in San Francisco 's Bernal Heights neighborhood say a thief has been stealing sewer drain covers in the middle of the night, leaving homeowners concerned about safety and replacement costs.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The repeated thefts of sewer drain covers in Bernal Heights pose a significant concern for homeowners and pedestrians alike, as the missing covers can create hazardous conditions on the streets. This issue also raises questions about the city's infrastructure maintenance and the potential costs that will be passed on to residents. In a city where public works projects are often plagued by delays and budget overruns, the theft of sewer drain covers may seem like a minor issue, but it can have a significant impact on the daily lives of those living in the affected neighborhood. As the city struggles to find a solution to this problem, residents will be watching to see how quickly and effectively the missing covers are replaced, and what measures are taken to prevent future thefts. The city's response to this issue will be closely tied to its broader efforts to maintain and improve its infrastructure.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Residents in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood say a thief has been stealing sewer drain covers in the middle of the night, leaving homeowners concerned about safety and replacement costs.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luz Pena at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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