The strategy of making it look like the "squatters" crudely tampered with the meter is smart. The electric company will come out and remove the meter themselves.
Do the same thing with cable tv or satellite systems. Make it look like the squatters are stealing.
Again, use pry-bars and screwdrivers to gain access.
Get a really long hose, hook it to the neighbor's house some night and water the squatter's lawn 24/7.
Oh what fun that would be to see the confrontations.
“Yes, I’ve heard that the electric company does NOT take kindly to theft of power.”
Same with water. Theft of service is a felony.