After a neighbor contacted Linton City Hall regarding higher-than-usual utility bills, a 41-year-old Linton man was arrested April 24 on charges of theft for allegedly stealing utility services.

Brandon Lee Lash was arrested by Linton Police Department Officer JR Blazier on charges of theft and theft where the value of property is between $750 and $50,000.

The victim contacted City Hall on April 14 regarding substantial increases in his utility bills. According to the probable cause affidavit, Officer Blazier was provided with information that a building, broken down into apartments adjacent to his residence, had its utilities disconnected for nonpayment on Jan. 1, 2023. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim’s landlord confirmed on April 17 that utilities had previously been stolen from the residence.

On April 24, Linton Police Chief Paul Clark photographed the building where Lash resided. According to the probable cause affidavit, several lights were visible on both levels of the residence. Chief Clark noted he could not hear any generators running to determine where the power source was coming from.

A search warrant for the residence was executed on April 24 at 3:31 p.m. by Chief Clark and Officer Blazier. During the search, a yellow electrical wire was located coming from the roof of the building into the breaker box and wired suspiciously into a breaker. Blazier went into the building and all the lights and electrical outlets were working properly as if there was electrical service to the building even though service had been cut in January. Pictures were taken of the breaker box showing the suspicious electrical wire and of the power being on in the building.

Blazier questioned Lash about the suspicious wire. According to the probable cause affidavit, Lash said the wire runs up the chimney and is tied into the main power line on the roof. He said he would show the officer where the connection was made. Linton Utilities was contacted to disconnect the unauthorized connection. Blazier and Lash went to the top of the building and located an old, unused chimney on the north side of the building. The main powerline for the victim's residence could be seen running from the meter, over the building behind this chimney, and to the victim’s building. Once the bricks were removed from the chimney, the same yellow electrical wire that ran from downstairs from Lash’s breaker box was located. The electrical wire was spliced into the victim's main power wire and taped with black tape.

According to the probable cause, the utility department disconnected the electrical wire and retaped the main line. The utility department informed officers the main would have to be replaced due to the outer protective sleeve having been cut away to make the connection.

Lash was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $1,000. He was later released after posting $100.

He faces charges of theft where the value of property is between $750 and $50,000, a Level 6 Felony and theft, a Class A Misdemeanor.