The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department is searching for suspects they say opened a fire hydrant and leaving the water running for hours.

It happened sometime Thursday night, March 19, in the Kingsbury Industrial Park.

More than 300,000 gallons of water flooded the area around the Bye-Mor store. The business did not suffer any damage, but the company wasn’t able to accept deliveries due to their loading dock being flooded.

John Boyd, the LaPorte County sheriff, said it’s not a harmless prank, as the supply is a source of water for area fire departments. Tampering with the supply could lead to a lack of water if a fire were to ignites. The lack of water could also affect businesses in Kingsbury Industrial Park that depend on an adequate water flow to operate.

“We are taking this matter very seriously and continue to follow up leads in this investigation,” Boyd said.

Anyone with information on the incident may contact Detective Aaron Banic with the sheriff’s department at 219-326-7700 ext. 2407.

Citizens can also call Crime Stoppers with information at 800-342-STOP (7867).

Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information and tipsters can remain anonymous even when receiving their reward.