SHERIFF: PLANTING SEASON DRAWS OUT METH MAKERS

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The season for stealing chemicals to make methamphetamine has arrived in Perry County, Sheriff Gary Schaaf said.

During the past week, deputies have charged eight people with attempting to steal anhydrous ammonia from farmers, who are increasing supplies of the fertilizer for spring planting.

On March 31, a report of suspicious activity around anhydrous ammonia tanks in McBride, Mo., led a deputy to a vehicle with four men from Bonne Terre, Mo. They were John E. Spain, Robert E. Lyons, Robert T. Siegler and Dana P. Hood. All four were charged with stealing anhydrous ammonia, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Another group of suspected thieves was discovered Thursday. While on patrol, a deputy said he noticed activity around anhydrous ammonia tanks near railroad tracks by Route M. As the deputy approached, he found a 25-pound propane tank hooked up to an anhydrous tank.

After calling for assistance from the sheriff department's K-9 unit, the officers found and arrested Todd Glacken of High Ridge, Mo. He was charged with stealing anhydrous and trespassing. Glacken apparently had been waiting for another man to pick him up near Route H. Officers are still seeking Glacken's alleged accomplice.

While searching for Glacken, two other anhydrous ammonia thieves were caught, officers said.

Deputies saw a vehicle drive into a barn lot where anhydrous tanks were located. When a deputy's parked patrol car was noticed in the lot, the vehicle stopped, quickly turned around and drove away in the direction of Route H. A deputy stopped the car suspecting that the person they were searching for was inside.

The officer saw one person in the vehicle had a hose and flashlight on his lap, with pipe fitting scattered on the floor. Methamphetamine was also found in the vehicle.

Charged were Kerry V. House, 32, of Desloge, Mo., and Amy L. LeGrand, 30, of Farmington, Mo.

Most thieves don't realize the danger of stealing the fertilizer, Schaaf said.

"If someone doesn't know what he's doing, he can inhale it," Schaaf said. "Then it can sear the lungs and you can die from it."