§61-3-45. Tampering with pipes, tubes, wires or electrical conductors; penalty.

Every person who, with intent to injure or defraud, connects, or causes to be connected, any pipe, tube, wire, electrical conductor or other instrument with any main, service pipe, or other pipe or conduit or flume for conducting water, or with any main, service pipe, or other pipe or conduit for conducting oil, natural gas, or with any main, service wire or other electric conductor used for the purpose of conducting electric energy for light, heat or motive services, for the purpose of taking therefrom water, oil, natural gas, telecommunications service, or electric energy, without the knowledge of the owner thereof and with intent to evade payment therefor, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not exceeding twelve months, or fined not exceeding $2,000, or both, in the discretion of the court.