This article first appeared on Yahoo! News
Joseph P. Smith, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
Fri, April 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM MDT
NEWFIELD — The owner of Denney’s Power Washing in Pitman is due in court next month on charges that his employees illegally tapped a borough fire hydrant for water to use on an assignment in neighboring Vineland.
An investigation started after the director of the Department of Public Works in mid-March contacted Franklin Township police. A police report states the director said a Denney’s employee had accessed a hydrant at 32 Gorgo Lane, which is close to the Public Works complex.
Police say business owner Stephen Denney, 46, of Ardmore Avenue in Pitman was interviewed and took responsibility. He was issued a summons on March 24 with charges of theft, criminal mischief for damage to the fire hydrant, and violations of borough ordinances.
Denney was released pending an appearance in Franklin Joint Municipal Court. A hearing is scheduled for May 7.
According to the police complaint, more than 1,000 gallons of water was taken from the hydrant. The complaint values the water taken at $100.
The complaint also states the use of a pipe wrench did some damage to the hydrant, “which could have led to the loss of water” in the event of a fire.
In an affidavit, Detective Dylan Colcough states that video from an adjacent business recorded a box truck at the hydrant on Feb. 28. It showed two individuals connecting a hose to the hydrant using tools in the truck.
Denney was interviewed at police headquarters on March 23. He stated his trucks usually tap hydrants at their job sites.
