MITCHELL – According to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Randle Hignite, 46, of Mitchell, is facing allegations of theft and criminal mischief after allegedly tampering with a water meter to bypass billing.
Captain Andrew Phillips filed a second probable cause affidavit detailing the new accusations on March 6, 2025. The affidavit states that South Lawrence Water Company employees discovered a “jumper” installed in the water meter pit at Hignite’s residence at 30 Daisy Lane. A “jumper” is a device used to bypass the water meter, allowing water to flow without being measured and billed.
This incident follows a previous case in which Hignite was accused of similar offenses. On February 20, 2025, South Lawrence Water Company had reportedly cut a previous “jumper” to prevent water theft.
According to the new affidavit, a South Lawrence Water Company employee discovered a new “jumper” in the meter pit within the past few days. At that time, the water valve was turned off. However, on March 6, 2025, when workers arrived to terminate the water service, they found the valve partially open.
South Lawrence Water Company informed Captain Phillips that a partially open valve could allow Hignite to obtain water without authorization. The amount of water potentially stolen since installing the new “jumper” is unknown.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Hignite’s arrest. On Thursday, March 27, Hignite was detained on theft and criminal mischief charges.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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