Third Person Charged With Stealing Water From Fire Hydrant

A man who told police he had permission from the city to take some 245 gallons of water from a fire hydrant was arrested this week after he couldn't produce proof that he wasn't stealing, Manassas Park Police reports show.

It happened around 1 p.m. on March 11 when a police officer saw a car parked in front of a fire hydrant on Venture Court.

The officer moved closer and saw a 54-year-Woodbridge man taking water from the hydrant.

The man insisted that he had permission from the city to take the water, so the officer gave the man three days to come up with the proper documentation, Manassas Park Police reports show.

It turns out the suspect didn't have permission and was issued a summons for tampering with a fire hydrant and petit larceny.

On March 10, police said they caught a Springfield man and a Woodbridge man stealing 600 gallons of water from a fire hydrant. 

Manassas Park Assistant Police Chief Dean Goodwin said cases of people stealing water from fire hydrants are rare in Manassas Park.

"This does not happen often. It is something we encounter a few times a year in the way of citizen complaint," Goodwin said in an email. "The reasons vary I am sure, but I think it is safe to surmise it all comes down to economics. If you steal the water and don’t get caught you have saved a few dollars in expenses."

Manassas Park Police charge such thefts as petit larcenies, which carry a penalty of up to $2,500 in fines plus court cost. If convicted, a person can serve up to 12 months in jail.