(a) Violation. No person shall knowingly, without the consent of the Orrville Public Utilities, with intent to violate Section 523.02
:
(1) Tamper with an electric or water meter, conduit or attachment of the utility; or
(2) Reconnect an electric or water meter, conduit or attachment of the utility that has been disconnected by the utility.
(b) Prosecution.
(1) In a prosecution under subsection (a)(1) hereof, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment of the utility has been tampered with is prima-facie evidence that the person who is obligated to pay for the service rendered through the meter, conduit or attachment and is in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time the tampering occurred has caused the tampering with intent to violate Section 523.02.
(2) In a prosecution under subsection (a)(2) hereof, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment disconnected by the utility has been reconnected without the consent of the utility is prima-facie evidence that the person in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time of the reconnection has reconnected the meter, conduit or attachment with intent to violate Section 523.02.
(c) Definitions.
(1) As used in this chapter, "utility" means the Orrville Public Utilities.
(2) As used in this section, to "tamper" means to interfere with, damage or by-pass a utility, meter, conduit or attachment with the intent to impede the correct registration of a meter or the proper functions of a conduit or attachment so as to reduce the amount of utility service that is registered on such meter.
(Ord. 111-79. Passed 11-5-79.)