Shreveport, La. — The unusual theft of four fully-stocked fertilizer trucks –from a single owner – Tuesday, June 30, is believed by some law officers to be part of thrill-seeking adventure by young law breakers. “For the past month or so we have seen an uptick of crimes where young people, juveniles mostly, have been stealing (vehicles) from businesses for joyriding,” reported Shreveport police spokesman Cpl. Marcus Hines. But the latest incident, which occurred at Growing Solutions, was more than a joyride. All four vehicles were taken from the fertilizer business across the river at Bossier City. Two of them were soon located and returned to their owner. But another forced closure of an important bridge when the vehicle apparently struck a railing and was abandoned, leaking liquid fertilizer on the roadway (GM July 7, p. 11). “The occupants jumped out and left the truck in gear, hitting a corner of the bridge. The tank was ruptured in the process and spilled a minimal amount of fluid liquid urea,” reported Brett McAnn, Growing Solutions co-owner. When all the trucks were accounted for they had been stripped of equipment, including spreaders, backpacks, fertilizer, fungicide, and weed controls. Five individuals were believed involved driving the trucks and a getaway car.
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