Alleged gas thieves caught by owner of Freedom company

FREEDOM – Two alleged gasoline thieves went to the tank once too often.

Waldo County Chief Deputy Bob Keating said Wednesday that Brian Mitchell of Mitchell’s Sheet Metal estimated that about 300 gallons of gasoline had been stolen from his company’s trucks in the last few weeks, so he decided to do something about it.

On Monday, Mitchell set up an alert system in his parking lot and waited, gun by his side, in case something happened.

It didn’t take long. At 12:43 a.m. Tuesday, Mitchell surprised James Alan Waterman, 25, of Knox, and Tasha M. Vigneault, 19, of Freedom as they allegedly attempted to siphon gas from one of his trucks. They were held at gunpoint until sheriff’s deputies arrived to take the pair to jail.

“He decided he had enough,” Keating said.

Waterman and Vigneault were charged with criminal trespass and theft. A 6-gallon gas can and a siphon hose were found at the scene. Waterman allegedly told deputies that he had taken gas from Mitchell in the past, Keating said.

Deputy James Greeley and Sgt. James Porter made the arrests.