A West Haven official said thieves stole five grates from curbside storm drains, each weighing 147 pounds, apparently to sell them to scrap metal dealers.

WEST HAVEN — Under cover of darkness, money-hungry thieves methodically stole five grates from curbside storm drains — each weighing 147 pounds — apparently to sell them to scrap metal dealers, the city’s head of public works said Friday.

The deed left gaping, 5-foot deep holes the city and state scrambled to cover before someone fell in or got their car stuck, said Tom J. McCarthy, commissioner of public works.

“Could you imagine a bicyclist?” he asked. The city received no reports of injuries.

“We basically had to scrounge around as fast as we can,” for covers, McCarthy said. The city even ordered steel grates from a New Jersey foundry in case there are more thefts.

One of the grates disappeared last week, and it was quickly replaced before McCarthy even heard about it, he said. He got alerts over the weekend about the other four.

Two grates were stolen from Forest Road, a state road; two were taken from Campbell Avenue and one was swiped from Myrtle Avenue, McCarthy said. The state replaced the missing ones on Forest.

McCarthy said he called area metal recyclers after the grates disappeared and was told they don’t accept them without a signature from an employee of the municipality from which they came.

Even if the thieves get money from the grates, it wouldn’t be much.

For all the heavy-lifting, the average return on grates is only $10-15 each, McCarthy said.

“I think it’s an indicator of maybe how desperate some people are,” he said.

Anyone who comes across an open storm drain is asked to call 911, McCarthy said. Anyone who encounters someone who appears to be removing a grate also is asked to also call police. The routine number of the West Haven Police Department is: 203-937-3900.