Officers confront suspect in recent gas thefts
The suspect in recent gas thefts reported by local residents was identified and charged by law enforcement officers on Monday. According to reports filed through the Lawrenceburg Police Department officers were dispatched to two homes on Prosser Road regarding the thefts.
One of the residents reported no damages, but said that about eight gallons of gas were siphoned out of her 1997 Chevy Blazer. Loss in that case totaled approximately $25.When officers spoke with the second victim, he reported that around five gallons of gasoline had been taken from his 2002 Toyota Tacoma.
He said that someone had cut the gas line, then inserted clear plastic tubing to siphon the gas. Some of the tubing was recovered at the scene. He said he had experienced loss and damages of around $170.
The victim said he had seen a man messing with two gas cans earlier and had confronted him about it. He identified the man as nineteen year old Steven Gregory Dudley, who is homeless. He said that Dudley appeared to be armed with a pistol. Officers located Dudley shortly afterwards near Hilltop Market on Prosser Road.
When they approached him, he was carrying a backpack. When officers looked inside they found some clear plastic tubing. They said that it smelled of gasoline and that the cut at the end of the tubing matched one of the pieces recovered at the scene.
As a result of the findings officers issued citations to Dudley, charging him with theft and vandalism. He has been scheduled a General Sessions court date on Monday, November 5.
