Dade City Man Arrested For Stealing 63,300 Gallons Of Water

DADE CITY, FL – A Dade City man who reportedly attempted to soak the city for water he didn’t pay for has been charged with grand theft.

Anthony Garza, 38, of 37129 Bowman St. was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 20, following a complaint by the Dade City Public Utility Service.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Garza is accused of tampering with the city water meter between Sept. 1 and Dec. 14, allowing him to use 63,300 gallons of water without paying.

On three occasions, utility employees placed a lock on the water meter to prevent tampering but the lock was cut off each time. Then, on Dec. 14, utility workers discovered that a watering hose was being used to divert water from the water line directly into the home of the accused.

Garza was taken to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center where bail was set at $5,000. Garza is well-known to Pasco County law enforcement. He’s had previous arrests for grand theft, burglary, battery, possession of cocaine, domestic violence and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Photo via Pasco County Sheriff's Office