Bismarck Tribune

By LAUREN DONOVBy LAUREN DONOVAN

An investigation into a possible diesel theft in McClusky led to an all-day search for an escaped suspect and the eventual arrest of three men and a woman, all of McClusky, on Wednesday.

The arrests involved several drug charges, including for possessing and having equipment to manufacture methamphetamines.

Sheridan County Sheriff Trent Naser said those arrested were being processed through McLean County court.

Naser said Sheridan County law agents pulled over a couple of suspects after a report that some diesel possibly had been stolen from a parked vehicle early Wednesday morning.

He said a car stop of the suspects led to a further investigation and search that ended with the four arrests.

While the vehicle was stopped, one of the detainees, Benji Weyrauch, of Bismarck, fled handcuffed from the police vehicle and was discovered sleeping in a McClusky home later Wednesday night.

The most severe felony charges were made against Mike Delvo, 49, of McClusky, for possession of meth-making equipment, possessing meth and manufacturing meth, as well as possession of marijuana.

Naser said Delvo was being held without bond because he's on parole from an earlier meth conviction. The sheriff said the equipment was in a building adjacent to Delvo's home.

Weyrauch, 26, was charged with attempted theft of the diesel, possession of meth, meth paraphernalia and marijuana, as well as for escape.

Eric Strand, 26, of Bismarck, was charged with attempted theft of the diesel.

Tami Schell, 28, of McClusky, was charged with hindering law enforcement after Weyrauch was found in her home, Naser said.

Sheridan County has had several meth busts in the past several years, attracting the activity because the county is sparsely populated and isolated.

Naser said he thinks meth makers are going through greater lengths to remain undetected.

He said the daylong incident involved South Sakakawea Narcotics Taskforce members, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Mercer County Sheriff's Department, North Dakota Parole and Probation, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.