DARLINGTON - Two people were cited Wednesday for theft at a residence on Catherine Street and fraudulently tapping water pipes since April 26.
Jeremy L. Weipert, 31, Calamine, was cited for tapping the water pipes, and Kari S. Dunlavy, 31, Stockton, Ill., was cited for theft of moveable property. According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, Weipert and Dunlavy had re-plumbed their pipes so that the water line bypassed the city's water meter.
The Municipal Water and Sewer Department noticed the water meter was being bypassed in April, but King said it took time to build a case for which the District Attorney's office could file charges.
Weipert and Dunlavy were released pending court.
It was a tip that notified Darlington Department of Public Works Director Jeremy Williams of the illegal act.
"They were letting in some water so the meter reading didn't show up as a zero," said Williams of Weipert and Dunlavy, who were renting the mobile-home property and reimbursing the owner for water. "But upon inspection of the meter, it was clear that most of it was definitely being bypassed."
Based upon regular use, Williams estimated the amount of water stolen while the pipes were switched to be in the $500 to $600 range.
Williams said the owner of the property has since corrected the pipes.
It was the first tampering case of its kind since Williams took his post in 2013, he said.
"I've heard of it being done before, but it's not very common," he said.
Jim Connors, owner of Connors Plumbing, Cooling and Heating in Monroe, said he seldom runs across such tampering but noted "If you have the know-how and the materials, it's easy to do."
He recalled an egregious case in Monroe, however.
"It was about 25 to 30 years ago. A guy built a four-plex and literally ran a hose from one unit to the next," Connors said. "Needless to say he got caught."
Jeremy L. Weipert, 31, Calamine, was cited for tapping the water pipes, and Kari S. Dunlavy, 31, Stockton, Ill., was cited for theft of moveable property. According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, Weipert and Dunlavy had re-plumbed their pipes so that the water line bypassed the city's water meter.
The Municipal Water and Sewer Department noticed the water meter was being bypassed in April, but King said it took time to build a case for which the District Attorney's office could file charges.
Weipert and Dunlavy were released pending court.
It was a tip that notified Darlington Department of Public Works Director Jeremy Williams of the illegal act.
"They were letting in some water so the meter reading didn't show up as a zero," said Williams of Weipert and Dunlavy, who were renting the mobile-home property and reimbursing the owner for water. "But upon inspection of the meter, it was clear that most of it was definitely being bypassed."
Based upon regular use, Williams estimated the amount of water stolen while the pipes were switched to be in the $500 to $600 range.
Williams said the owner of the property has since corrected the pipes.
It was the first tampering case of its kind since Williams took his post in 2013, he said.
"I've heard of it being done before, but it's not very common," he said.
Jim Connors, owner of Connors Plumbing, Cooling and Heating in Monroe, said he seldom runs across such tampering but noted "If you have the know-how and the materials, it's easy to do."
He recalled an egregious case in Monroe, however.
"It was about 25 to 30 years ago. A guy built a four-plex and literally ran a hose from one unit to the next," Connors said. "Needless to say he got caught."