DIXON, ILLINOIS — A diesel theft attempt in Lee County fell apart Saturday night after two suspects poured the stolen fuel into gas-powered vehicles, causing both to break down before they could escape.
On March 22, 2026, Bryan Kettley, 26, and Codi Despain, 20, both of Dixon, cut wires to a fuel tank at the Nelson Township Building and siphoned diesel fuel from the property. They poured the diesel into a gas-powered pickup truck and an ATV. The truck broke down immediately. The two then jumped on the ATV and tried to flee. The ATV also quit a short distance from the scene and they abandoned it.
Deputies investigating the scene also arrested London Thomas, 22, of Dixon, for obstructing justice. Officers found Thomas near the abandoned ATV and believe he coordinated moving it to private property to hide it.
Kettley and Despain face criminal damage to government property, theft of government property, and theft under $500 — all felony or misdemeanor charges. Thomas faces a Class 4 felony obstruction charge. All three were booked into the Lee County Jail and later released under the Illinois SAFE-T Act.
Anyone with information can call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 284-6631 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CAUGHT-U. Callers can remain anonymous and may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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