Pumping Gas

LEA RIZZO, DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Three Carbon Hill men, including a member of the Carbon Hill City Council, were arrested Friday on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

City Council member Harlon Wood, 33, was arrested along with Marlin Jordan, 37, and Kevin Sprowes, 30, as part of an ongoing investigation by Carbon Hill police. The arrests stem from thefts on June 23 at the Shell gas station in Carbon Hill.

Wood, who represents District 4 on the city council, was charged with three counts of fourth-degree theft of property. Jordan was charged with two counts of fourth-degree receiving stolen property, while Sprowes was charged with one count of fourth-degree receiving stolen property.

All the charges are misdemeanors.

“It stems from an investigation at the Shell gas station where [Wood] was employed,” said Police Chief Paul Agnew.

Agnew said Wood was fired from his job as a clerk at the station last week.

Wood allegedly allowed Jordan to pump gas and drive off without paying for the fuel, and leave without paying for two packs of cigarettes and a two-liter soft drink.

Wood also allegedly allowed Sprowes to leave the gas station without paying for cigarettes.

The manager of the gas station filed the complaint that led to the investigation.

Mayor Mark Chambers said Saturday he is going to talk to the city attorney and city council about what course of action to take following Wood’s arrest.