A group that places water jugs in the desert for illegal border crossers announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of people who vandalized several of the stations, including some near where four immigrants were found dead last week.

Water Station founder John Hunter said someone poked holes in the gallon water containers in seven of the 42 stations the group maintains along state Route 98.

“People use these stations as a last resort, and at some point this vandalism is going to cost lives,” he said.

According to the U.S. Border Patrol, at least 22 people have died trying to cross illegally in the San Diego sector since Oct. 1, 2007, double the number who died while trying to cross in the year that began Oct. 1, 2006. For more information, call (619) 933-6678. –H.S.