A Florida woman is behind bars after stealing electricity and siccing her large dog on utility workers who confronted her, according to law enforcement in the Sunshine State.
Tiffany Perkins, 28, is accused of a number of crimes, including one count of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, creating or maintaining a nuisance, keeping a nuisance, larceny related to a utility, grand theft, animal cruelty, burning unpermitted materials, operating an unpermitted landfill, misusing the 911 system, resisting an officer with violence, resisting without violence, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
The incident occurred on February 25 at a residence on Sugar Pine Loop in Lake Wales, a medium-sized city in central Florida, according to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office press release.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy arrived at the home late in the morning after receiving a call from two Duke Energy workers.
According to law enforcement, employees from the energy company were at Perkins’ home to investigate what appeared to be a possible utility theft.
The defendant allegedly did not appreciate the inquiry.
“Tiffany released her dogs at them,” the sheriff’s office stated in a press release, alleging that Perkins used her dogs to attack the utility workers.
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After the deputy arrived and began speaking with her, Perkins allegedly dialed 911 herself.
“As the deputy moved toward Tiffany to arrest her, he was attacked by a Great Dane, causing injury to his arm and eye,” the county attorney’s office claimed.
Later, more deputies arrived.
According to law enforcement sources cited by Tampa-based Fox affiliate WTVT, the defendant allegedly resisted arrest and was then Tasered.
Perkins eventually ended up in custody.
“The investigation determined that Tiffany was indeed stealing electricity from Duke Energy after they had cut the power to her home,” the sheriff’s office press release states. “Animal Control responded and rescued a second Great Dane in poor health. “Both Great Danes were removed from the property.”
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The defendant was also charged with improper waste tire disposal, having an open septic tank, and trespass without a structure or conveyance.
Perkins is currently being held in the Polk County Jail on a combined bond of $48,500, according to sheriff’s office records.
