Fox 4 Kansas City reported yesterday that a large number of propane tanks have been reported stolen from several locations in Independence and Lee`s Summit. This comes on the heels of a report by ky 3 updated yesterday that  early Saturday morning–around 3:50–two men bought a large number of cellphones at the Walmart in Lebanon. Ky 3 also reported that there are a number of reports of men visiting Walmart stores in several cities in Missouri and purchasing or trying to purchase large quantities of cellular telephones.

Ky 3 also reported:

Ava police say a man of Middle Eastern background bought a large number of cellular telephones at the Walmart store in Ava about 6:15 a.m. last Saturday. Police questioned the man, who was from Michigan, and he told them that he is a businessman. Police found no reason to detain him.

That purchase was about three hours after two men bought 60 cell phones at the Walmart store in Lebanon.  Officers there questioned the men, at least one of whom said he is from Michigan, according to Ava police.  Laclede County Sheriff Wayne Merritt said officers also found no reason to detain the cell phone buyers in Lebanon.

The article at Fox 4 reports:

“Certainly, we hear something about gas being stolen we worry about a potential bomb. The good news is this is probably not part of terrorist planning for a number of reasons,” Tabman told FOX 4’s Shannon O’Brien.

“One is they wouldn’t steal these items because they know that would attract law enforcement’s attention. Also this would not be a tool of choice,” he continued.

The FBI would not comment on the cell phone purchases or propane thefts, only saying that they encourage the public: If you see something, say something.

Generally I trust the FBI, but in this case I totally disagree. Hopefully security cameras at the location where the propane tanks were stolen and where the cell phones were purchased will have pictures of the purchaser and of the thief. This is not a coincidence to ignore.