No person shall, without lawful authority, connect or cause to be connected, with any main service pipe, wire or other conductor of any gas, water or electrical energy, any pipe, wire or other device for the purpose of obtaining gas, water or electrical current therefrom; nor shall, with intent to defraud, any person connect or cause to be connected with any meter installed for the purpose of registering the amount of gas, water or electricity supplied to any customer, any pipe, wire or other device or disconnect, change or in any manner so interfere with any such meter or any pipe, wire or appliance connected therewith, that such meter will not measure or register the full amount of gas, water or electricity supplied to any customer. (1984 Code § 25-21)