thieves stealing farm diesel 06-25-08

FARMERS USE SEVERAL METHODS OF IRRIGATION TO WATER THEIR CROPS.  SOME USE ELECTRIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, WHILE OTHERS USE DIESEL WATER PUMPS. WITH THE COST OF FUEL AND EVERYTHING GOING UP, PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO TAKE THIS DIESEL FUEL. WITH DIESEL FUEL AT APPROXIMATELY 4 DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS A GALLON.  THOMPSON SAYS THIEVES ARE GOING BEYOND THE PUMP AND INSTEAD STEALING DIESEL FUEL FROM BOLIVAR COUNTY FARMERS. A BOLIVAR COUNTY INVESTIGATOR SAYS, "MOST OF THE TIME, THEY HAVE A SMALL 12-VOLT PUMP THAT WORKS OFF OF A BATTERY AND THEY'RE SCREWING EITHER ONE OF THE TOPS OR PLUGS AND STICK IT DOWN THERE AND PUMP IT OVER INTO ANOTHER TANK. THEN THEY HAUL IT OFF." HE BELIEVES THE THIEVES ARE RESELLING THE STOLEN FUEL AT A LOWER PRICE. HE SAYS, "IF THEY STEAL 500 TO 1-THOUSAND GALLONS AND SELL IT AT A DOLLAR A GALLON THEY WILL MAKE A PRETTY PROFIT." BUT HE SAYS THE THIEVES PROFIT IN THE END WILL EVENTUALLY BURN A HOLE IN THEIR POCKETS. THIS FUEL IS NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE. IT HAS A DYE IN IT. BOLIVAR COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE CONTACTED THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION. M-D-O-T WILL BE CHECKING TRUCKS TO SEE IF TRUCKERS ARE USING FARM DIESEL. IN THE MEANTIME, DEPUTIES WILL CONTINUE TO PATROL THE FARMING COMMUNITIES.