PHOENIX — A north Phoenix man has been arrested after allegedly damaging a water main while trying to reconnect his home to the city water system.
Phoenix police report that on July 21, Joseph Blair Dawson, 48, damaged a water main with a sledgehammer as he was trying to reconnect the water line to his home.
A witness reportedly told police that Dawson has an ongoing issue with the city and his home, near 16th Street and Mountain View Road, has no water or electricity due to non-payment.
The city recently repaired the line before Dawson allegedly broke it with a sledgehammer, according to court paperwork.
The witnesses reportedly told police Dawson gave up, leaving the pipe damaged and "water was heavily flowing" for 24 hours before the city capped it.
Dawson was trying to connect a pipe from his home to the water line, according to court records. The damage is estimated to be $6,000.
According to records from the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, Dawson's property has a value of nearly $550,000.
He has been charged with criminal damage.
