ST. LOUIS — Police in St. Louis have arrested and charged 65-year-old Harry Farmer with eight felonies in connection with the damage and theft of components from 77 fire hydrants across the city. The arrest on Thursday followed an investigation aided by surveillance footage and records from a local recycling facility.
According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Tracy, Farmer was caught on surveillance video sawing off brass valves from the fire hydrants. Farmer then allegedly attempted to sell the stolen brass components at SA Recycling, located off Broadway in St. Louis.
Phillip Harbison, general manager at SA Recycling, confirmed the facility's cooperation with the police investigation. Harbison stated that SA Recycling records every transaction, capturing pictures of individuals' IDs, license plates, and the materials they bring in. This information is stored in a database, allowing the facility to assist law enforcement when requested. Harbison expressed a strong dislike for thieves and a commitment to helping remove individuals who pose a risk to the community.
St. Louis officials emphasized the severe public safety implications of the vandalism. Chief Tracy highlighted that "damaging fire hydrants creates a major public safety risk," noting that firefighters depend on working hydrants to protect lives and property. Interfering with this access, he said, endangers residents, businesses, and first responders.
St. Louis Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson described the incident as unprecedented in his nearly five decades with the department. "I’ve never, ever seen anything like this. Traveled around the country, I’ve never seen hydrants vandalized like this intentionally," Chief Jenkerson stated.
Harbison also issued a warning to potential thieves, stating that SA Recycling does not accept stolen scrap metal and will actively cooperate with police to ensure criminals are held accountable. He emphasized the importance of their record-keeping practices in combating the negative reputation sometimes associated with scrap yards.
As of Friday evening, Farmer is in custody, though police are still in the process of extraditing him back to Missouri from Illinois. The investigation into the damaged fire hydrants remains ongoing. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department encourages anyone with additional information to contact District 4 detectives at 314-444-2500.
