Alva Review-Courier -

When water meters were being read on Nov. 30, a problem was discovered in the 200 block of Barnes Street. The residence was hooked up to water, but there was no water meter.

Alva Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Bryan Miller was asked to respond to the location about a theft of utilities. He met with the public works director and assistant director. They advised they were reading meters and found a hard-piped connection in the water meter box. Miller asked if the residence had a meter service, and they advised that water account is on hold.

Miller went to the door of the residence and knocked. A man later identified as Steven Baird came to the door. He agreed to come out onto the porch to talk. Miller explained they were there to speak with him about the water meter that had been removed and the theft of utilities by using an extension device to make the connection.

Baird explained the water department had come by and they wouldn’t give him a meter because they didn’t have one. Miller asked who put the connecting device on the water connection, and Baird stated, “I did,” according to the affidavit. Miller asked how long ago he had installed the connection, and Baird stated, “a month and a half ago.” When asked for his identification, Baird said he didn’t have it on him. He gave his name and date of birth out of the state of Missouri.

Miller radioed Woods County Dispatch to run a check on the information given and asked for an additional police unit to come to his location.

Once Police Chief Ben Orcutt and Assistant Chief Patrick Hawley arrived, Miller spoke with them about the situation. Hawley had his body camera activated, and they spoke with Baird again. Hawley asked again who hooked up the connection in place of the water meter, and Baird advised he did. Hawley asked when he made the connection, and he said probably a month and a half ago.

Baird was advised he was under arrest for theft of utilities. He was allowed to make a phone call to his mother to take care of his dog. Lt. Ron Vasquez then placed him in handcuffs and transported him to the Woods County Sheriff’s Office.

Steven Nicky Baird, 45, of Alva, has been charged with tampering with utilities, a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months and/or a fine of not more than $1,000.