e and ask for help,  he stated.

Farmer has now been charged with eight felonies.

 Damaging fire hydrants creates a major public safety risk,  Chief Tracy exclaimed.  Firefighters depend on working hydrants to protect lives and property - interfering with that access puts residents, businesses and first responders in danger. 

 I've been Fire Chief for 19 years, been in this city for 48 with the fire department. I've never, ever seen anything like this. Traveled around the country, I've never seen hydrants vandalized like this intentionally,  Chief Dennis Jenkerson, St. Louis Fire Department, stated.

For recycling facilities like Harbisons, they just have one message to other scrap thieves.

 I will not buy it; don't bring it to SA Recycling, SA Recycling does not want stolen scrap… some of us will absolutely do our part and help the community and put criminals behind bars,  he said.

As of Friday evening, Farmer is in custody, but police still have to extradite him back to Missouri from Illinois.

The investigation remains ongoing. Police want anyone with more information on the damaged hydrants to contact 314-444-2500 and talk to District 4 detectives.