Critical Generator Stolen from Small Mississippi Town

Coldwater Police investigating theft of $10,000 generator used to pump water and power repairs after winter storm damage

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A critical generator that was being used by the small town of Coldwater, Mississippi to pump water and power repairs at the town's wastewater treatment facility after damage from a recent snow and ice storm was stolen last week, according to Coldwater Police. The generator, valued at $10,000, was part of a grant the town received and was being utilized for multiple purposes, including providing light and power. Without the generator, the town now faces sewage issues and increased costs to quickly fix the original problem at the wastewater facility.

Why it matters

The theft of this generator is a major setback for the small town of Coldwater, which was relying on it to maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure after recent severe weather damage. The loss of this equipment puts the town at risk of sewage issues and will require additional time and resources to address the original problem, further straining the town's limited budget.

The details

According to Coldwater Police Chief Rickey Dandridge, the large generator was stolen last Wednesday from the town's wastewater treatment facility, located down a "bumpy, windy back road." The generator was being used to pump wastewater and power repairs at the facility, which had been damaged in the recent snow and ice storm. Dandridge said the generator was a "very critical part" of the town's wastewater system, and its theft will now force the town to "increase the fact of getting it done quicker" to fix the original problem. Dandridge believes multiple people were likely involved in stealing the $10,000 generator, which was part of a grant the town had received.

  • The generator was stolen last Wednesday.
  • The generator was being used to help pump water and power repairs after damage from a recent snow and ice storm.

The players

Rickey Dandridge

Coldwater Police Chief, who is investigating the theft of the generator.

Town of Coldwater

A small Mississippi town with a population of 1,300 that was relying on the stolen generator to maintain its water and wastewater infrastructure after recent severe weather damage.

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What they’re saying

“This generator was very important to the town of Coldwater.”

— Rickey Dandridge, Coldwater Police Chief (wreg.com)

“Because of the storm and everything, that generator was a very critical part to our wastewater system.”

— Rickey Dandridge, Coldwater Police Chief (wreg.com)

“To the thieves that got this generator, my message to you is we need our generator back, and we're gonna go through any means, and all means to make sure we get our generator back.”

— Rickey Dandridge, Coldwater Police Chief (wreg.com)

What’s next

Coldwater Police are actively investigating the theft and are urging anyone with information about the stolen generator to contact them at 662-622-7979.

The takeaway

The theft of this critical generator is a major setback for the small town of Coldwater, which was relying on it to maintain essential water and wastewater infrastructure after recent severe weather damage. The loss of this equipment puts the town at risk of sewage issues and will require additional time and resources to address, further straining the town's limited budget and resources.