A 34-year-old man in Busan has been busted for stealing nearly two dozen manholes covers, after a pedestrian fell into a hole left by the thievery, Yonhap reports.
Earlier this month, a pedestrian fell into one of the manholes and got injured, police said.
When the police were investigating the scene, they discovered that more manhole covers were missing in the area. Authorities later confirmed that a total of 22 manholes were missing within a 5-kilometer radius.
Busan Gangseo Police Station said Wednesday that a 34-year-old man, surnamed Kim, was charged for stealing 22 manholes worth 1.3 million won ($1,240) each.
The police found the car suspected to have been used in the crimes and eventually tracked down Kim, the owner. However, Kim had already sold the manhole covers to a junkshop.
The suspect told police that he stole the manhole covers due to financial hardship.