Tenant Charged With Stealing Landlord’s Electricity

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A tenant in Vermont was charged this week with larceny and mischief after he allegedly bootlegged his landlord’s utility service.

According to a news report, the man is accused of drilling a hole through his apartment wall and threading an extension cord into an adjoining utility room to avoid paying for his electricity.

Once the landlord discovered the plot, he contacted police, and the 24-year-old tenant was charged, according to the report.

While nothing in this report indicates a motive other than stealing the electric service for every day use, sudden spikes in water or power usage by a tenant, or redirecting wiring or plumbing, may be signs of drug grow-op activities.

An overloaded extension cord powering household appliances — like an air conditioner — presents a serious fire danger.

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