A Memphis man's attempt to illicitly tap into utility services sent an entire neighborhood into darkness and has led to multiple charges against him, including animal cruelty. Jacquose Bonds, 53, allegedly rigged a setup to steal electricity, gas, and water which ended disastrously, causing a power outage on McMurray Street in the Oakville community.

As reported by Action News 5, Memphis police were called to the scene by an MLGW revenue protection investigator Sunday afternoon. The technician had been responding to troubleshoot a power disruption when they found the compromised utility connections leading to Bonds' home. According to the authorities, his tampering with the lines caused two transformers to quickly blow out, leaving residents in the vicinity without power.

Amidst the investigation, police also rescued a deprived dog from the premises, which was discovered in a neglected state. Locked in a closet with no food and left to live amid its own waste, the dog's condition prompted additional charges against Bonds. "During his detention, officers reportedly discovered a malnourished dog locked in a closet, deprived of food and living in his own trash," as per details obtained by Daydreams by Dani.

Stealing utilities is an act that carries consequences beyond the legal ramifications for the one messing with the services. "It's an unfortunate situation but the cost has to be absorbed somewhere, and it comes from the ratepayer," MLGW’s Ursula Madden stated in an interview with WREG. The theft was not only risky but expensive, with the unauthorized consumption valued around $1,500.

Bonds is facing an array of charges, including the theft of services, destruction of utility lines, and cruelty to animals. Held on a bond of $7,500, he is scheduled to soon appear before Judge Ronald Lucchesi to answer for his alleged actions that inconvenienced an entire community and risked their safety.