Crime & Safety

String of Thefts Leaves Victims Feeling Flushed

Valuable electronic flush valves have been disappearing from local establishments in recent weeks.

Southeastern Wisconsin has been hit hard by an unusual string of thefts, with Greenfield locations being targeted at least three times this month.

The popular item? Valuable flush valves for toilets and urinals.

Just weeks after a thief reportedly stole two such flushers from , another McDonald’s and ITT Technical Institute had their flushing devices lifted Oct. 22.

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“We are currently meeting with other agencies that have also experienced these thefts, most notably West Allis and Pewaukee,” Greenfield Assistant Chief Paul Schlecht wrote in an email.

The first incident Oct. 22 happened around noon at . According to the Greenfield Police Department report, electronic flush valves from both a urinal and toilet were taken. The valves were valued at $600 each. With additional parts and labor, the total loss was estimated at $1,800.

Find out what's happening in Greenfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Later that day, the same incident occurred at ITT Technical Institute, where a thief made off with $3,148 worth of flusher parts.

The manager of the McDonald’s on 27th Street told police at that time he was aware of at least three other area McDonald’s that had their flushing mechanisms taken.


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