Two Men Arrested for Stealing Water Meters & Selling for Scrap

Pater Payne

On August 16th, representatives from the CMUD (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department) notified the CMPD that they were having a problem with water meters being stolen in the Metro and Eastway Divisions.

CMPD Metro officers spoke with different scrapyard businesses which operate in the Metro Division as well as citizens who live where the thefts were occurred.

Based on this information, CMPD officers identified two individuals that were possibly involved in the theft of the water meters and members of the CMPD POST Unit initiated an investigation focusing on Paul Littlejohn and Pater Payne.

Paul Littlejohn

During surveillance, officers observed both subjects discarding conduit in the woods near the home of Mr. Payne’s daughter. Pieces of multiple stolen CMUD water meters were also recovered during this investigation.

Littlejohn and Payne were arrested and have been charged with possession of stolen goods and littering 15-500 lbs.  Payne was also charged with possession of cocaine.

This investigation is ongoing and CMPD requests that anyone with information regarding the theft of stolen CMUD water meters to please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.