WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – Hartford police arrested a man they say intentionally flooded his apartment to force his eviction, resulting in thousands in damages to the building and displacement of residents.
Jefferson Dickie, 66, is facing a charge of felony unlawful mischief after allegedly flooding his third-floor apartment at 27 North Main Street, a 17-unit building managed by Vermont State Housing Authority, according to police.
The one felony count carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison.
On Tuesday, Hartford Police responded to the building for a reported “vandalism incident involving intentional flooding at a third-floor apartment,” the department stated in a news release a couple of days after the incident.
Dickie, officers determined, had “intentionally” left multiple plumbing fixtures running in his apartment, including bathroom fixtures and a kitchen faucet sprayer.
“The kitchen sprayer had been positioned outside the sink basin, allowing water to run onto the floor, while the bathroom shower fixture was also left running,” stated the Hartford news release.
Water spread throughout the building, causing damage to multiple floors and displacing other residents.
Speaking with officers, Dickie allegedly admitted to intentionally flooding the apartment in an attempt to cause damage and force his eviction.
“The incident resulted in eight units and the basement being ordered no-occupancy by the Hartford Fire Department due to fire and life-safety concerns,” the news release said.
Damage was estimated at a minimum of $10,000, according to police.
A dehumidifier was running in the slightly muggy lobby of 27 North Main Street on Friday. An official with Vermont State Housing Authority was on site, but declined to comment.
Dickie was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility with a $5,000 bail.
