Police looking for suspects who opened three Cedar Rapids fire hydrants

Water was gushing out of three fire hydrants in Cedar Rapids after someone unlawfully opened them overnight, police said.

Police were first notified around 12:10 a.m. Thursday about an open hydrant near Second Avenue and Eighth Street SW. In the next 15 minutes, two others were reported. A neighbor called police about an open hydrant at B Avenue and 11th Street NW, and shortly after that, police learned about another one at G Avenue and 10th Street NW.

Firefighters responded to close the three hydrants. Police were not able to locate the suspects. The neighbor who called police said there had been voices, but the person did not see any possible suspects.

Tampering with a fire hydrant is a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine per hydrant, according to the International Fire Code, which the city has adopted.