© CBS 5SCOTTSDALE, AZ (CBS5) -
Two men were arrested on suspicion of stealing devices from Scottsdale businesses designed to protect water supplies from pollution or contamination due to backflow.
Police said Keith Keller, 31, and John Rowland, 29, were observed by an officer on routine patrol near 76th Street and the Greenway/Hayden Loop about 3:20 a.m. Tuesday.
The officer pulled the vehicle over for a traffic violation and as he approached the pickup truck, he saw at least 14 backflow preventers in the bed of the vehicle.
The men were arrested and booked into jail on several charges, including backflow preventer thefts, possession of burglary tools, driving on a suspended license and other charges.
Police said at least 16 businesses in the area were identified as having their backflow preventers stolen and/or cut apart.
Police investigators said they are working to return the items back to the businesses they belong to, but the damage done by equipment removal will total to thousands of dollars.
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