A local real estate company is offering a reward after they experienced a recent string of stolen water backflow preventers from one property in Hesperia.
The Hesperia Business Center along Mariposa Road and south of Main Street had its backflow preventer stolen three times in the last three months, according to Operations Manager Michele McCormick with Lee & Associates in Victorville.
“We are offering a reward of $500 for the identity and the conviction of the person who is stealing from us,” McCormick said. “We are also working with the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station.”
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McCormick said one backflow preventer was stolen in broad daylight, and any recycling center that accepts the device will be reported to the Sheriff’s Department.
McCormick’s company went to the extent of painting backflow preventers neon green so if stolen, they would be recognizable to local recycling companies, law enforcement, and anyone thinking of purchasing the device.
“The third backflow device was actually returned to us by a business who said they found it,” said McCormick. “We found that very interesting.”
The first two preventers cost the company $8,000 each to replace, with the last device $13,000 for replacing the stolen preventer and security cage and repairing damage to the concrete pad, which was destroyed in the theft.
Last year, thieves damaged a security cage to steal a water backflow preventer from a warehouse in Victorville, according to facility manager Dale Covington.
“That was an expensive mess to fix,” Covington said. “About five years ago, we had an air conditioner damaged when somebody tried to gut it for parts. After that, somebody tried to rip out a catalytic converter from one of our vehicles.”
Domestic water and commercial irrigation backflow preventers are usually stolen for brass and copper, which can fetch a few dollars a pound at a scrap yard or recycling business.
“It usually only takes a few minutes to rip one out, and thieves don’t usually turn off the water to prevent flooding,” said plumber Ralph Hopper, 52, the owner of Helping Hand Plumbing in Apple Valley.
The water backflow devices are usually located above ground along the street frontage for most commercial properties or close to structures.
The U-shaped pipe acts as a valve to prevent irrigation or other water from backing up into the potable water source of the building.
Security tips
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Paint, coat label, or stamp backflow preventers.
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Cover backflow devices with either a protective cage or enclosure, which are secured or mounted to the ground.
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Use a high-quality lock on security cages.
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Post visible signs that warn about security measures and prosecution.
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Consider using plastic backflow preventers, which contain minimal amounts of semi-precious metals.
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Hide and conceal backflow preventers.
Anyone with information about stolen backflow preventers or other items should contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Stolen backflow devices in Hesperia prompts real estate company to offer reward