Water-Wasting Thief Caught on Video

Video:  PIO 11-5-19 Water-Wasting Brass Thief

Surveillance video captured a prolific late-night thief that has detectives, residents and city officials fuming for more than one reason. The criminal is stealing valuable brass valves called “backflow preventers,” and because he usually strikes at night, the damaged pipes gush countless gallons of water before the problem is discovered.

The video shows a white Ford Crown Victoria sedan with chrome hubcaps and dark tinted windows pull up outside of a business. A man gets out of the car and lifts an ax-like tool over his head four times in a chopping motion. As he chops, trying to cut the backflow preventer from the pipes, the sound of gushing water can be heard – an assault to the ears of drought-stricken South Floridians who have been diligently conserving water for months.

There have been about 100 such thefts this month all over Broward County. Each valve is worth about $230, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives. It’s unclear if the same person is responsible for all of the thefts, but the Crown Victoria has been seen at other sites.

Anyone with information about the suspect or information about the thefts is asked to contact Det. Armando Hernandez at (954) 202-3121 or report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Broward County at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

MEDIA NOTE: Surveillance video of one theft with sound can be downloaded from our website at www.sheriff.org.

INVESTIGATORS: Det. A. Hernandez, Sgt. LaCerra, Oakland Park Oakland Park

THIS REPORT BY: Dani Moschella/PIO 5/13/11 1330

BSO Case Number: multiple

PIO Number: 11-5-19

Date: May 2011

Time: multiple Jurisdiction: Broward County

Place of Occurrence: Dania Beach, Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, Cooper City, Lauderdale Lakes, North Lauderale, Wilton Manors, West Park