The number of people being arrested or charged in Pinellas County for theft of utilities is greatly on the rise. With many residents out of work, Progress Energy is reporting an immediate increase of 15% in the number of theft related cases. Maxwell Wright, the lead investigator for the company supplying electrical services to the St. Petersburg / Clearwater area believes people are economically struggling. He coined the term "survival mode" in describing how former law abiding people are now often driven to violate the law. See: Electricity Thefts Surge in Bad Times.
Tampa Electric Company has likewise seen a ten percent jump in the theft of utility cases this year. The Tampa Bay area clearly contributes its share of contributing to a nationwide annual estimate of two billion dollars per year of stolen power. Click here to read about a 91 year old man accused of stealing electricity for nearly six decades.
Marijuana growing operations are increasingly found to utilize theft of electricity measures. Such tactics are often necessary to avoid costly power bills associated with indoor or hydroponic farms that require significant artificial lighting. The theft of power not only results in sizable power bill savings, but eliminates enormous utility consumption that often draw law enforcement's attention and signal illegal "grow' operations. See: Pot Farm House Goes Up in Smoke.
Progress Energy reported recently that they get between 11,000 to 12,000 investigative tips per year concerning the theft of their electrical power. So how are these thefts taking place?
- Homeowners tap into the power source before it gets to their meter;
- Power customers tamper with the kilowatt meter. The meters are manipulated to make them "under-register" the actual power used. A common method employed with older meters was to utilize a powerful "braking" magnet on the outside of the meter that was designed to slow the recordation of the kilowatt usage.
- A wire or extension cord is employed underground or hidden in foliage that taps into a neighboring house or business. This effectively causes someone else to be billed for the "diverted" or "shared" power. Click here to see video of homeowner stealing power from neighbor through use of hidden extension cord.
Tampering with the electrical power is not only a violation of the criminal law but can lead to devastating consequences such electrocution and deadly fires. See: People Risk Death to Steal Power. See also: Pot Farm Goes Up in Smoke
Power companies, including Progress Energy are aggressively taking action to make such thefts more difficult. New "automated" meters are being installed that are highly accurate and difficult to vandalize. Click here to learn how these meters have been employed to minimize or even eliminate theft of electrical services. They are also pursuing criminal charges against those people caught stealing power.
The theft of utilities causes other customers to pay higher rates on their own utility bills. Something not forgotten in the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors often urge judges not to take these offenses lightly arguing that theft of utilities not only affects the power company, but victimizes all innocent consumers.
If you have been arrested or charged with a Theft of Utilities offense in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or another area of Pinellas County, we are experienced criminal defense attorneys who can help. Call us to discuss how to avoid a formal conviction or how to get the charge dismissed through your participation in a diversion program. Better still, in many cases, we may be able to petition to seal or expunge your criminal record. This is a crime involving untruthfulness or dishonesty. Getting convicted of this offense could greatly interfere with your future employment opportunities or ability to obtain occupational licensing.
Call our office at (727) 578-0303 for a free consultation.
The Law Offices of Russo & Russo
Former State Prosecutors
877 Executive Center Drive West
Suite #112
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Visit our Criminal Defense Website at: www.defensehelp.com
Click here to learn about possible solutions to your Pinellas County Criminal charge.
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