Meth Addicts in Search of Neighborhood Barbecues

According to Kansas City Law Enforcement, the propane tank you use to barbecue in your backyard could be potentially dangerous due to exposure from methamphetamine manufacturing.

The tanks used to store propane are sometimes used to store anhydrous ammonia, a dangerous compound that is used to make meth. The tell-tale sign a propane tank has been used to manufacture methamphetamine is the greenish blue color of the service valve on the tank. Once a tank has in fact come in contact with these meth compounds, the safety of the tank becomes compromised, and could turn deadly for an unsuspecting person gearing up for some grilling.

According to Police Lieutenant Ty Lewis with the Paso Robles Police Department, when a propane tank come into contact with meth manufacturing chemicals, “It'll break down the valve, obviously weaken it, and then poses a potential for the valve to break off. Since the contents are under pressure, it could potentially create a missile of sorts"

Law enforcement agents say it is especially important to check the valve on your tank if you are exchanging an empty one or a full one. In any case, if you pick up one of the tanks and the valve is bluish green, do not try to remove the valve yourself. Instead, contact your local police or fire department - it could save a life.

Kansas City Barbecue Results in Kidnapping and Suicide

Barbecue Crime Scene Investigators - Crime File 1: Sunday, June 29th 2008 - A woman was kidnapped at gunpoint from Gates Barbecue in Kansas City late Sunday night. Witnesses wrote down the alleged kidnapper’s license plate number, and within 15 minutes, the police were knocking on the suspect’s door. Officers said the woman ran out of the house, and was taken by ambulance to the hospital to treat a gunshot wound to the leg. The suspect came out of the house onto the front porch twice, smoking a cigarette and then heading back inside each time. After the suspect went into the house following the second cigarette, police officers said they heard a gunshot. They believe the suspect shot himself. According to Sgt. Tony Sanders, of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, they do not feel the kidnapping was random. “They had been in a relationship and knew each other. It wasn’t a random kidnapping like that, per say. He may have followed her there, had knowledge she’d be at that particular location. That’s when he decided to forceably take her away from there.” Fortunately, the woman is expected to recover.