BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
DEBORD — A pre-dawn theft of propane tanks from the Dollar General in Debord ended with three people in jail early Dec. 10.
Martin County Sheriff John responded to a call reporting two people in a maroon Chevrolet truck removing propane tanks and a propane tank cage from the store along New Route 3. He tracked the truck, the stolen merchandise and three suspects — 49-year-old Lonnie Jude of Pilgrim, 41-year-old Jason Kenneth Fields of Inez and 50-year-old Ruby Mae Chaffins of Inez — to a private property at 2305 Davella Road.
When law enforcement arrived on-scene, Jude was reportedly burning plastic-coated copper and old clothing.
Authorities recovered five full propane tanks, 14 empty tanks and the cage, which Kirk estimated was worth about $1,100.
Jude also had 12 $100 bills of “prop money,” police said.
According to the arrest report, Jude previously lived at the property but had been told multiple times not to return.
Sheriff Kirk said Fields drove the truck, hauling the stolen propane tanks and cage to Davella Road and unloading them.
During the investigation, deputies found a white powder substance in Fields’ pocket that he allegedly identified as methamphetamine.
After Fields was in custody, the sheriff found a loaded .38-caliber pistol inside a purse in the truck that Fields had been driving. The gun was within inches of him, the report said. There was a BB handgun beneath the purse.
Chaffins claimed ownership of the firearm, police said.
The report noted that Chaffins owns the truck that Fields drove to transport the stolen merchandise. The vehicle displayed a registration plate belonging to another vehicle.
Law enforcement also reported finding a small amount of marijuana in Chaffins’ purse.
The arrests occurred around 5:18 a.m.
Jude is facing charges of third-degree criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, violation of air pollution standards and rules, and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. He remains lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Fields’ charges include third-degree criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Chaffins stands accused of third-degree criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, theft of a motor vehicle registration plate and possession of marijuana.
All three remain in jail at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.