November 2, 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
An Elk City man was arrested and charged recently after allegedly digging up, exposing, and damaging city water and gas pipes.
The man also allegedly damaged a city street.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Elk City Police Department, on October 18 officers were dispatched to a home in the 1300 block of Railroad avenue in reference to a man digging up utility lines. There officers would find 39-year-old Edwin Baires Medina had allegedly dug up and exposed three to six feet of gas line in a four foot deep trench. The officer would also find several large holes and trenches. As a result of the digging, it was reported that asphalt pavement on a nearby street was also damaged.
The court document stated that representatives from the City of Elk City Street, Water and Zoning Departments were present to asses damages, however the damages and cost to the City and street repairs are still being assessed.
When asked about the trenches and the holes, the officer reported that Medina could not give a reasonable explanation for why he was digging. It was also reported that a neighbor would tell police that after returning to his home after being gone for several days, he would find that his water had been turned off at the street.
The affidavit went on to say that the next day police were once again called to the location, this time to find the suspect actively digging inside a shop building. Police said this time it was found that Medina had dug up another water meter.
Medina was arrested and booked into the Elk City Jail. He was charged with one felony count of injuring pipes or wires and one felony count of injury to a highway on October 25.
Bond for Medina was set at $10,000.
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