When thieves tore up yet another pricey water pump for the few dollars' worth of copper wire that energize it, the frustrated farmer considered taping $100 bills to the rebuilt system hoping crooks would just grab the easy money next time.

After a little more thought he warned his neighbors — and set a trap.

Within two months the screech of bare rims on asphalt alerted everyone within earshot that the 6-inch tire spikes Michael buried near his besieged pumps had thwarted the thieves' getaway.