Brass valves are targets for thieves METUCHEN - Thieves have swept up numerous brass backflow valves in the borough from businesses and residences during the past few months. Last week, police had a report of four thefts. Backflow valves prevent sewage from backing up into a structure, "It's a hard thing [for someone] to realize it is missing, since the piece that is being stolen is outside," said Patrolman David Liantonio. "It's important for people to continuously check that it is there." Someone stole a brass backflow valve, from a business on Middlesex Avenue between midnight April 3 and 9:59 a.m. April 10; a brass backflow valve valued at $150 from a Wakefield Drive residence between 3 p.m. Nov. 2, 2007 and noon April 10; a brass backflow valve valued at $400 from a business on Amboy Avenue between 9 p.m. April 2 and 6 a.m. April 3; and a brass backflow valve valued at $150 from a Plainfield Avenue residence between 7 a.m. March 20 and 3 p.m. March 31.