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3 charged after money taken at reservoir
Brothers from Monroe, and Covington woman, arrested in Walton County
Hard Labor Creek Arrests
Three people were arrested after money was stolen from an honor box at the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir near Social Circle, Ga. They were, from left, 20-year-old Lacey Brooke Myers, of Covington; and Justin Allen Rowe, 21, and Michael Cody Rowe, 18, both of Monroe.

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Three people were charged in connection with the theft of money at the new Hard Labor Creek Reservoir.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrests of Monroe brothers Michael Cody Rowe, 18, and Justin Allen Rowe, 21, along with 20-year-old Lacey Brook Myers, of Covington.

The three allegedly devised a way to take payment envelopes from a collection box on March 25. The suspects reportedly told investigators they took $82 and split it among themselves.

Hard Labor Creek Reservoir is a joint venture between Oconee and Walton counties, intended to be a future source of drinking water.

A spokeswoman for the Walton County government had said the box contained a day’s parking fees. A new, more secure way to collect and hold money is expected soon.

The reservoir opened for fishing in early March. It has a $10-a-day access fee with $60 yearly passes for residents of Oconee and Walton counties and $75 yearly passes for residents of other areas.

Walton Tribune Managing Editor Cosby Woodruff in Monroe contributed to this report.