Toilet Theft Suspect Sought by Police

The toilets in the men's restroom at the Clearwater Main Library and two fast food restaurants were victimized by thieves last week, following similar crimes at two Dunedin locations.

Toilet flush valves were reported stolen from the Clearwater library last Thursday, the same day valves were also taken from a restroom at the Dunedin Historical Society and Museum, according to Bay News 9.

The Checkers on Gulf to Bay Boulevard and McDonald's at 539 S Missouri Ave also were hit, according to Clearwater Police.

"(Investigators) have developed a suspect and are working to locate him at this time," Elizabeth Watts, Clearwater Police spokeswoman said in an email.

The valves, which cost about $75 apiece to replace, were also reported stolen from the Dunedin Public Library last Wednesday, as first reported by Dunedin Patch. 

The Sloan parts control water flow into the toilet, and are located on the outside of most commercial grade toilets.

A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokersperson told Bay News 9 that authorities believe whoever took the valve knew what they were doing because they turned the water off. 

Without the valves, the toilets won't flush, leaving the Clearwater library's restroom out of order, Bay News 9 reports.

“In all of the time that I’ve been in libraries both here and libraries all across the country, I have never heard of this particular kind of situation coming up before,” Barbara Pickell, the Clearwater library's director, told Bay News 9.