A petty theft arrest at Hy-Vee Food Store in Albert Lea has lead to two methamphetamine production arrests in Austin.

Monday, October 23, 2000

A petty theft arrest at Hy-Vee Food Store in Albert Lea has lead to two methamphetamine production arrests in Austin. Police are still looking for a third individual for questioning regarding the case.

Brian Conrad Henderson, 24, of 1412 Second Ave. SE, Austin, was arrested in Albert Lea Wednesday night for stealing more than $300 worth of ephedrine, a drug commonly used to make methamphetamine.

A manager at Hy-Vee informed the officers that the defendant had filled a green plastic storage container with cold tablets and a roll of aluminum foil. The value of the cold medication, foil and container totaled more than $300. A spoon was later found on the defendant’s person and was priced at $1.99.

While being questioned by police, the defendant identified places where he said methamphetamine was being manufactured. He said that he had been to each of them in the last two days.

"He was able to provide some information that indicated there were possibly two working methamphetamine operations in Mower County," Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp said.

One of the locations led police to a meth lab at 502 Seventh Ave. SE in Austin. Husband and wife Dean Scott Aarsvold, 38, and Sherrie Renee Aarsvold, 36, subsequently were jailed on methamphetamine manufacturing. Their son, Anthony Jey Aarsvold, 18, of the same address, is being sought in connection with the lab. He is described as white, 5 foot 11 inches and 160 pounds.

The Austin Police Department’s Special Incident Response Team was used to enter the Seventh Ave. SE house during a raid at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Henderson was charged with one count of theft, a gross misdemeanor, and one count of felony aiding and abetting the manufacture of methamphetamine.