PLANTING SEASON DRAWS OUT METH MAKERS, SAYS SHERIFF

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."