A Hollister man thought to allegedly be responsible for the storm grate and manhole cover thefts in the city was arrested today as an officer observed him trying to take another one this morning, Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Jeff Hinton said.

Tony McClain Richardson, 43, was charged with three counts of felony larceny, three counts of possession of stolen goods, nine counts of misdemeanor larceny, nine counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods and one count of attempted breaking and entering. He was jailed on $10,000 bond.

Around 9 a.m. today an officer was on routine patrol when he spotted someone at the Farm Fresh construction site off Premier Boulevard.

Hinton said the officer continued watching him and then caught him allegedly trying to steal another grate, pulling it up and putting it in his car.

The counts Richardson was charged with today reflect thefts of manhole covers and storm grates on city streets, Carolina Crossroads and the River’s Edge subdivision. Over the past two months some 60 grates and covers have been stolen in the city and police believe Richardson is allegedly responsible for them, Hinton said.

Investigation led to some of the items being recovered. Investigators learned Richardson was taking the items to a salvage yard in Warren County and selling them for scrap.

Investigation continues and more charges are possible, Hinton said.