Pair allegedly stole propane tanks from Montgomery County railyard

Two people are accused of stealing two propane tanks from a railyard in the town of Mohawk last Thursday.

A Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy saw a suspicious vehicle along the CSX Railway in the area of Route 5 and Switzer Hill Road. Other patrol officers and New York State Police assisted setting up a perimeter to prevent the vehicle from leaving.

They then walked to the location of the vehicle. Ricky A. Hemstreet II, 26, of Johnstown, and Alexandria L. Kirby, of Sprakers, allegedly took the two 100-pound tanks from a storage facility and loaded them onto a vehicle, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said.

Both were arrested without incident.

Hemstreet and Kirby were both charged with petit larceny, conspiracy and trespassing. Hemstreet also faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of radio devices. He was arraigned in Mohawk Town Court and sent to Montgomery County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash or $5,000 bond. He is due back in court at a later date.

Kirby is also facing a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Mohawk Town Court at a later date.