It is unlawful for any person to connect or attach any kind of pipe, wire or other contrivance to any pipe, line, wire or other conductor carrying gas, water or electricity and belonging to a public utility (whether publicly or privately owned), in such a manner as to enable him to consume or use the gas, water or electricity without it passing through the meter or any other way so as to evade payment therefor. It is also unlawful for any person to damage, molest, tamper with, or destroy any pipe, line, wire, meter, or other part of any public utility, including any telegraph or telephone system. (Prior Code, Chapter 14)