Published: May 16, 2008 09:29 am            

Hoard of diesel fuel attracts cops

Danie M. Huffman

wdreporter2@yahoo.com

If finding 1,000 gallons of fuel on a Parker County woman’s property was not suspicious enough, officials grew even more suspicious when she tried to get rid of it.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Bill Cooper was conducting an investigation in the 100 block of Bluebonnett Drive in Cresson earlier this week, when he ran across 500 gallons of gasoline stored in barrels on private property along with 500 gallons of red diesel fuel.

Authorities believed the fuel to have been stolen.

Cooper received information that Lemons began sending numerous text messages beginning around 9 p.m. that same evening, in an attempt to get acquaintances to help her remove it from her property before environmental officers could seize it.

The affidavit also stated three individuals known to Lemons arrived at her home in a pickup truck and removed 500 gallons of fuel.

Records also state Lemons knew the fuel was evidence and she willingly let the individuals come to the property to remove the gasoline.

An arrest affidavit stated Lemons did not have any receipts or permits for the fuel.

Due to the large quantity, investigators were called to seize the fuel, valued at about $4,000, and remove the evidence to a safe location.

The property owner, identified as Kathleen Dawn Lemons, was instructed not to allow anyone around the fuel and she assured officers it would not be touched.

Lemons was read her Miranda rights and signed a statement that she did allow the removal of the evidence in an attempt to get rid of it.

She was charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence. She was booked into the Parker County Justice Center and was released the following day after posting a $10,000 bond.

        

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