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, stands accused of myriad crimes including one count each 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, as well as two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
The incident occurred Feb. 25 at a residence on Sugar Pine Loop in Lake Wales – a medium-sized city in central Florida, according to a press release issued by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy arrived at the home late in the morning in response to a call from two Duke Energy workers, the sheriff’s office said.
The energy company’s employees were at Perkins’ residence to investigate what appeared to be possible theft of utilities, according to law enforcement.
The defendant allegedly did not appreciate the inquiry.
“Tiffany released her dogs at them,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the press release – alleging Perkins used her dogs to attack the utility workers.
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After the deputy arrived and began to speak with her, however, Perkins allegedly called 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 sheriff’s office alleged.
Later, additional deputies arrived.
The defendant allegedly continued to resist arrest, however, and was subsequently Tasered, according to law enforcement sources cited by Tampa-based Fox affiliate WTVT.
Eventually, Perkins was taken into custody.
“The investigation determined that Tiffany was indeed stealing electricity from Duke Energy after they had cut the power from her home,” the sheriff’s office press release continues. “Animal Control responded and recovered a second Great Dane that was in extremely poor health. Both Great Danes were removed from the property.”
The defendant was also charged with improper waste tire disposal, having an open septic tank, and trespass that does not involve a structure or a conveyance.
Perkins is currently being detained in the Polk County Jail on a combined $48,500 bond, sheriff’s office records show.
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