Officials in Alabama say they are investigating a series of thefts involving metal urinal components from restaurant bathrooms.

Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Randy Christian said authorities have been told of a man walking into men's rooms and stealing flush valves and supply lines from urinals. Authorities say the man left each building without being noticed.

Christian said the pipes were not made of copper and would have little value if a thief tried selling them as scrap metal. He said officials are unsure why the items are being stolen.