A Des Moines man was arrested and charged for allegedly causing 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel to spill onto a farm property in Dallas County earlier in May.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the spill early in the morning May 3, Sheriff Adam Infante said in a news release. The suspect had accessed an above ground diesel fuel storage tank and intentionally let the diesel spill onto the farm property, authorities said.
The spill was initially contained on the site and in a nearby pond. But later, residents in Waukee reported a strong smell of fuel near Little Walnut Creek extending to 156th Street, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Investigators were able to identify the 36-year-old suspect through cameras and witness corroboration, the news release said. The person arrested was a former employee of the farming company on U Avenue.
He’s charged with theft, criminal mischief and trespassing.
The Dallas County Emergency Management Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are working with multiple agencies on mitigating the spill, the news release said. No fish were reported dead as of May 4.
José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com or follow him on X @mendiola_news.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines man charged with allegedly releasing 4,000 gallons of diesel on farm
Reporting by José Mendiola, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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