Early Sunday morning (2:31AM) the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center was notified of a fire hydrant which had been opened near the 9800 block of S.R. 60. The Fire Department sent a truck out to close the hydrant but at approximately 3:10AM, another hydrant was found opened near 4th Street and 98th Avenue. Again, the Fire Department responded to close the hydrant.
By 4:22AM, a fifth hydrant had been discovered opened and patrol deputies were notified to be on the lookout for suspicious activity relating to hydrants being maliciously opened. By approximately 7:20AM, a total of 17 hydrants had been found opened. Many were near S. R. 60 between I-95 and 58th Avenue but three were in the Vero Highlands and two were in the Gifford area.
Officials from Indian River County Utilities Department told Sheriff’s Office detectives that approximately 1.2 million gallons of water had been released on Sunday morning.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office detectives are coordinating their investigative efforts with officials from the fire service as well as the Indian River County Utilities Department. Tampering with a fire hydrant in this manner represents a third degree felony under Florida statute 806.10. Additional charges based on the cost of the water itself as well as damage to at least three dirt roads may also be considered.
Anyone with information about the suspect(s) in these incidents is asked to call Detective Steve Stoll at 772-978-6119. Those wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000, can provide information through Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477 or www.tcwatch.org.
Indian River Guardian 