According to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, it all began back in December when the victim, 84-year-old Mae Westover, saw her water bill was triple the normal amount.
She called the AQUA water company and a plumber, but no one could figure out why the bill was so much higher.
Finally, the district attorney's office said, friends from Westover's church found a hose attached to her rear faucet. The hose ran to the home next door.
Police were called and they contacted the homeowner, 44-year-old Mark Getty.
Getty allegedly told police that AQUA had shut off his water and had had been using the hose from Westover's property to get water for his home.
Police say an investigation revealed Getty inherited the house from a relative and had not had any water usage for about nine months.
Police went on to say that Getty's property was in "deplorable condition" with spoiled fruit on the front porch along with torn open garbage bags and trash all over. The rear yard also had garbage all over with torn open garbage bags, police said.
AQUA was contacted and is working with Westover to resolve the bill. Getty was ordered to solve his issues and re-establish water service.
Getty will be charged with theft and trespassing.
