Three arrested in anhydrous ammonia burglary

PLEASANT PLAIN — Three Clermont County residents were arrested in connection with a burglary at the Southwest Landmark fertilizer facility in Pleasant Plain in southwest Warren County, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and Hamilton Twp. police responding to a burglar alarm at the facility at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, observed a large cut in a security fence with two men inside the fenced in area of the plant. Nearby was a propane tank filled with anydrous ammonia and a woman was found in a nearby vehicle. All three were arrested; each was charged with three fifth-degree felonies.

Kathleen May Johnson, 41, of 5608 Trenton Court in Milford, was charged with complicity to breaking and entering, complicity to theft and possession of criminal tools.

Matthew Paytes, 38, of 1375 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, and Adam Williams, 28, of 2792 Cedarville Road in Goshen both were charged with breaking and entering, theft and possession of criminal tools.

All three are awaiting arraingment and are being held in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond for each charge.

Anyhdrous ammonia is used in farming as a source of nitrogen fertilizer. It also is frequently stolen for use in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office.