A Crime of Plumbing

Perhaps they were thirsty. 

Four Spotsylvania residents were charged with stealing water this week after a utility worker discovered that the suspects had tampered with the home water meter. 

On June 8, Spotsylvania Sheriff's deputies responded to a home on Rainer Lane after receiving a report from a  Spotsylvania County Utilities worker who was investigating a leak. In his rounds, the worker discovered that a jumper faucet had been installed in the water meter. The jumper faucet diverted water from the workings of the meter, allowing the occupants of the house to receive water free of charge. 

Police estimate that the occupants siphoned off water between March and June. Police say the suspects stole 65,100 gallons of water in that time. The total value of their liquid heist: $902.33.

53-year-old Ricky Lee Story, 46-year-old John Garner and 43 year old Norma Madison were charged with obtaining utilities under false pretenses and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail. A fourth suspect, 20-year-old Amy Lee Story has yet to be arrested.