SARGEANT -- The Mower County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of anhydrous ammonia reported Monday by Sargeant Agri-Services.

According to a Sheriff's Office report, the theft was discovered by an employee reporting to work Monday morning.

Black tape was discovered over a valve, where a lock had been cut and the ammonia siphoned from the tank parked outside the business.

The theft is believed to have occurred sometime over the weekend.

Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi speculated the theft is related to methamphetamine manufacturing.

"We have discovered ammonia hoses when we've made raids or arrests in methamphetamine cases," Amazi said.

Also, frequently discovered at the crime scenes are ball caps worn by the thieves. The caps are blown from the heads of the thieves by the escaping gases from the tanks.

Anyone seeing any suspicious activity near an ammonia tank is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately at (507) 437-9400.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com