Police charge water meter thief repeater | Crime

SALISBURY - If you don't pay your water bill, the water is turned off by Salisbury Rowan utilities and the meter box is locked.  But that didn't stop one couple from keeping the water flowing to their home at 621 N. Ellis Street.

According to the police, Salisbury Rowan Utilities had turned off the water and locked the meter box for Kevin Johnson and Mary Adams because the bill had not been paid.  The couple's reaction to their newly dry condition was to steal meter boxes from other homes, and this happened three times, according to police.  Each time the couple was able to take the stolen box and hook it up so that the water began flowing again at their home.

On Wednesday Johnson and Adams were both charged with three counts of interfering with public utilities.  Police says since the last theft, a new lock box was placed on the water meter that has been successful in keeping the water shut off.