Contributed Photo: The GCEC is offering a $1,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot its water tank.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – The Graham County Electric Cooperative is offering a $1,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who damaged one of its water storage tanks by shooting it with a high-caliber firearm. It is believed the damage occurred between Jan. 2 – 9.
According to GCEC General Manager/CEO Kirk Gray, one shot penetrated the steel tank causing a leak and others caused damage that cracked the coating on the inside. The damage will have to be repaired, otherwise, the spots where bullets hit but didn’t penetrate will start corroding. The GCEC is in the process of gathering information on who can assist with the fix and is not sure of the cost at this time.
“Even though those other shots didn’t penetrate all the way through and create a leak it will eventually give us problems from that coating being cracked,” Gray said.
The tanks are located just west of the Pima Cemetery on Tank Hill. They provide drinking water for both the town of Pima and Eden.
The co-op does have a surveillance system at the site which has helped avoid vandalism in the past, however, since the shots came from a good distance away there is no video of who perpetrated the crime.
Tampering with a domestic water supply is a federal offense, and Gray said the co-op will pursue charges to the full extent of the law.
“This has put everybody’s health in jeopardy that utilizes the system,” he said.
Gray said while the tank must be repaired, the situation does not create any immediate health risk to consumers.
Additionally, the area of the damage shows that the shots appeared to have come from the south, which means the shots were fired northward, toward residences.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to report it to the Pima Police Department by calling 928-485-9454.
