Millstadt, Ill.-Surveillance cameras, in operation at Illinois farm outlets for some time, played a major role in the capture and charging of a two-time anhydrous ammonia theft suspect, according to industry officials, who said one of two suspects returned to the scene of the crime. The suspect, who has been the object of efforts to identify and arrest him since his photo was captured on the video at Handy Fertilizer Co., was nabbed by the coordinated efforts of local authorities and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois. “While conducting the investigation, agents confirmed that one of the suspects was the same person caught on video in May,” said Group Commander Joe Beliveau. The picture was carried in the local newspaper to assist authorities in their search. Jean Payne, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, told Green Markets that Handy purchased the security system after an ammonia theft attempt in 2008 caused a release that resulted in a $5,500 fine by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Instead, Handy decided to credit that amount on a security system. The state of Illinois also had a grant program for the same purpose, but it expired before Handy obtained the cameras. “I would estimate that 50 to 60 other retailers qualified for the security systems, which are still in wide use,” Payne reported. “We had a lot of this type of thefts at that time, and many of those arrested went to prison. But now they’re out and going back to making methamphetamine. So we’re seeing an uptick in these crimes.” Charges were filed by the St. Clair county attorney late last month in the arrest at Handy’s, including two counts of unlawful procurement of anhydrous ammonia. Bail was set at $150,000. A second individual arrested on the scene was released pending further investigation.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain