BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of oilfield thefts have captured a suspect.
Just after 10 a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 42-year-old Lori Fiscus, according to Bardon County Sheriff Brian Bellendir. After a routine check, it was discovered Fiscus had outstanding warrants from Saline County for a probation violation.
The passenger in the vehicle, identified as 29-year-old Kurt Woods, had outstanding warrants for failure to appear and contempt of court in Barton County and the City of Great Bend.
Woods had been sought in connection with several oilfield thefts involving brass valves from tank batteries. Further investigation located methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
Deputies arrested Fiscus on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and the warrant from Saline County. There is no bond on the Saline County warrant and a $10,000 bond on the possession of methamphetamine charge, according to Bellendir.
Woods was arrested on the two local warrants and requested charges of possession of methamphetamine as well as felony theft related to the oilfield incidents. Woods is being held on a $10,000 bond for the methamphetamine charge, $10,000 bond for felony theft, a warrant from the City of Great Bend for $1,642 and a warrant for Barton County District Court with a bond set at $500, according to Bellendir.