Gas tank stolen from dentist

MINDEN - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is seeking information about a burglary of nitrous-oxide and oxygen tanks from a dental office in hopes of locating the tanks before someone is hurt.

Investigator Keith Logan said one nitrous-oxide tank and two oxygen tanks were taken Monday night from a storage area of Sierra View Dental Center, 1064 Riverview Drive. He said he suspects teenagers, based on the crime scene.

"They are 5-foot-tall cylinders. Parents should look around. These are obviously items that kids or teenagers should not have," Logan said Tuesday. "They are both extremely dangerous."

Logan said the gases are flammable and, if inhaled, can be harmful or even fatal.

"If anyone has information, they should report it immediately so we can recover them and nobody will be injured. We are very concerned because it is school break and that is the time when kids have parties and their parents are traveling and New Year's is coming up," Logan said.

Tanks have been stolen three times from the office. In June, two nitrous-oxide tanks were taken and Logan suspects teenagers were also involved in that burglary, as well as an earlier theft from the storage shed.

Anyone with information should call Secret Witness at 78-CRIME, or call Investigator Keith Logan at 782-9908. After hours, call Douglas County Dispatch Center at 782-9911. A $500 reward is being offered and callers can remain anonymous.