3 arrested in SE Minn. anhydrous ammonia theft

Published 7:17 am Monday, February 28, 2011

WINONA — Drug investigators have arrested three people who allegedly stole anhydrous ammonia from a farming supply store in St. Charles.

Twin Valley Ag had been the target of recent burglaries in which surveillance cameras recorded people stealing anhydrous ammonia. Farmers use it as fertilizer, but it’s commonly used to make methamphetamine.

A Winona County sheriff’s investigator noticed a car pull into the Twin Valley Ag parking lot Friday night. One man got out and went to the ammonia tank, while the car left with two other people inside. Officers arrested him and pulled over the car without incident.

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All three face felony charges. While the trio didn’t admit to previous burglaries, investigators say the vehicle and suspect descriptions match the earlier thefts.