Men get 3 years in anhydrous theft cases

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Two St. Louis-area men have been sentenced to three-year sentences after pleading guilty in a case last week involving the theft of anhydrous ammonia in Perry County. Donald E. Mauzy, 35, of High Ridge, Mo., and Nicklas W. Harris, 38, of Eureka, Mo., were sentenced to three years in prison by Judge William Syler, according to the Perry County Circuit Clerk's office. The men were in the custody of the Department of Corrections, the office reported. Meanwhile, a third man, Tracy D. Hyden, 45, of St. Louis waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday and Judge Benjamin Lewis set his next court appearance for 2 p.m. Sept. 16. Mauzy pleaded guilty to two felonies Friday, including resisting arrest and possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container. Harris pleaded guilty that same day to possession of a controlled substance. According to police, Mauzy, Harris and Hyden were caught attempting to steal anhydrous ammonia from a storage tank at a farm on Route M on June 13. Deputies had been assigned to watch the farm for suspicious activity after receiving tips on ammonia thefts. Hyden and Mauzy were allegedly spotted by deputies trying to leave the area on foot and were arrested. Harris was arrested after deputies found him driving nearby.

Pertinent address:

Route M, Perryville, MO