OC man charged with theft of utilities

OHIO CITY – An investigation into the theft of utilities in this village has resulted in charges being filed against a village resident.

Rory J. Bigelow, 27, of 107 E. Morris St. in Ohio City, was charged with one count of theft over $500, a fifth-degree felony offense, in connection with the case.

Village officials filed a report on April 13 that a resident of 107 E. Morris St. was suspected of fraudulently using electric service after having been disconnected for non-payment. When village officials checked the residence’s electric meter, they found it had been tampered with to allow electric service without registering any usage.

It was also found that the meter was actually taken from a nearby vacant residence and was not the right meter for the 107 E. Morris St. residence.

Ohio City police officers investigated and found Bigelow had allegedly been stealing utilities, including electricity, water and natural gas, since January 2010, and the gas meter had also been tampered with so it showed no usage.

Police contacted Dominion East Ohio Gas Company, which confirmed that the meter had been tampered with and natural gas had been stolen.

Bigelow will appear for an arraignment hearing on the charge in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court this morning.