Thief rolls off with rotary rooter

BROOKINGS – Brook-ings Police investigating a certain theft this week don’t have any suspects yet, but they might try looking for someone who bears a resemblance to the Roto-Rooter Man.

That’s because the object of their search is an industrial-sized “root rooter” taken from a Medary Avenue job site.

The pipe and drain cleaner was reported stolen last week from a worksite in the 300 block of Medary Avenue South. The flex-cable unit is designed to clear tree roots and other blockages in underground pipe. It’s believed the machine was taken between Wednesday and Friday of last week (Sept. 5-7).

The Speedrooter-brand machine is orange and has wheels, police said. The Speedrooter and an attached drum of steel cable are valued at about $2,500.