Pair arrested for allegedly stealing fire hydrants

A San Jacinto man and his girlfriend are behindbars today for allegedly stealing fire hydrants and backflow valves to get atthe copper rings and other metal content.

John Joseph Shaw, 49, and Antonette Marie Rodriguez, 48, were arrestedThursday night on suspicion of grand theft and receiving stolen property. Shawwas additionally booked for alleged parole violations.

Shaw is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility inBanning. Rodriguez is being held at the same facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.

While deputies were conducting a parole compliance check at Shaw’s housein the 200 block of Lori Ann Street, they allegedly discovered three stolenfire hydrants, pieces of backflow meters, which are used to control irrigationand prevent contamination of water supplies, as well as 200 duplicated pre-paidgift cards.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Joey Nardone said the hydrants and other metals allegedlystolen for their scrap value altogether weighed around 600 pounds.