In Kansas and Missouri, incidents of bulk purchases (of cell phones and stolen propane) are a cause for concern.

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:19:57 -0500

The FBI has issued an Alert for Missouri because of the following incidents. If you live in the area, Are you aware of this: Bulk purchases of cell phones and stolen propane tanks?

"Early Saturday morning two “foreign speaking” men set off alarms after they entered the local Walmart store in Lebanon, Missouri and purchased 60 cellphones. The purchase was made around 4 AM in the morning. Police were called but released the men saying they didn’t have a legal reason to detain them."

"The Macon County Sheriff’s office is investigating a SECOND suspicious purchase of dozens of cellphones at the Columbia Walmart on Conley Road"

"A third suspicious purchase was made at a Walmart in Macon, Missouri."

"On Thursday a fourth Walmart in Jefferson City in mid-Missouri reported another bulk cell phone purchase."

A large number of propane tanks have been reported stolen from several locations in Independence and Lee`s Summit.

"At the end of November, a BP gas station in Lee`s Summit reported 18-20 propane tanks stolen from the outside cages. That same night the CVS on Southwest 3rd Street reported the exact same crime.

Two weeks later, the CVS on East 23rd Street in Independence was hit, and 28 tanks were stolen from that location."

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/12/missouri-on-alert-4-bulk-cell-phone-purchases-now-dozens-of-propane-tanks-stolen-in-kc/

MISSOURI ON ALERT: 4 Bulk Cell Phone Purchases - Now Dozens of Propane Tanks Stolen in KC - The...

The FBI was alerted after a large quantity of cell phones was purchased at several mid-Missouri Walmarts in the last ...

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Dec 17 at 2015 1:25 PM

SGT Francis Wright — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:25:29 -0500

Typical, can't do anything until something happens. But none of the politicians will say anything about it. Because they are cellphones and not guns.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 17 at 2015 1:27 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:27:39 -0500

Perhaps. However, they have yet to commit a crime.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 17 at 2015 1:47 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:47:12 -0500

With all the acts of recent terror attacks, I would say yes be very concerned.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 17 at 2015 2:12 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:12:56 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Yes, there is a cause for alarm with this situation. Cell phones have been used to trigger IEDS and propane tanks can be ousted as explosive devices.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 17 at 2015 2:12 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:12:56 -0500

I read about this and, to me, I don't think this is going to end well when it does... Unfortunately, no one has any idea as to when it will...
I hope it turns out to be nothing at all...

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 17 at 2015 2:21 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:21:12 -0500

Nah, nothin' to worry about. Just because insurgents used cell phones as remote detonators and propane tanks are already pre-packaged IEDs compared to the Boston Bomber's having to reconfigure pressure cookers into IEDs--DHS has everything covered and FEMA has plenty of body bags. We're good...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 2:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:34:34 -0500

There is cause for concern. Macon is actually where I was born. They probably bought the entire stock of phones that the store had. They were purchased w/ cash. One of the other cities where the purchases were made is my current home town. The purchases were made in the early morning hours, again via cash. It is concerning considering Columbia has been under surveillance before & there have been organizations in town w/ ties to Al Qaeda.

The latest is that gentlemen were asking about Bagnell Dam, which would be pretty devastating to the Ozarks if it were breached. There was also a case where several propane tanks were found buried in a field. They appeared to be placed for easy retrieval.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 17 at 2015 6:43 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:43:54 -0500

Did the police at least get their names?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 7:13 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 19:13:06 -0500

Ma'am, having bomb making material, especially in these amounts is a cause for deep concern. We will hear about there use in the coming months or years. I would have found a reason to detain these men until I knew exactly what the phones were being used for. As a country, I feel that we have a large number of Trojan Horses in our midst.

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Dec 17 at 2015 10:18 PM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:18:30 -0500

nice question

Response by SPC Robert Reynolds made Dec 24 at 2015 2:43 PM

SPC Robert Reynolds — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 14:43:06 -0500

As a Missouri boy it is a very troubling situation. Several areas that are potential targets that would affect larger amounts of people then just the locals.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 3:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:31:43 -0500

From the Macon County Sheriff's Office Facebook page:

Macon County Sheriff's Office
Government Organization · 1,781 Likes · December 11 at 2:54pm ·
After further investigation, the Macon County Sheriff's Office has learned information regarding the multiple cell phones being purchased at the Macon Walmart. It is believed these purchases were made by a cell phone trafficing ring. The cell phones are not believed to be purchased for use in criminal activity. This type of trafficing business usually results in civil action between the cell phone trafficker and the cell phone carrier company. Typically what happens is cell phones are purchased in a region for a low price and shipped to another region and sold to the general population for a large profit. This type of activity happens with everything from baby formula to electronic equipment. It is not believed there is any direct connection to violent criminal activity. More information can be found at http://www.stopcellphonetrafficking.com

Stop Cell Phone Trafficking

You can help stop cell phone trafficking by not taking part in trafficking. If you see people buying large quantities of cell phones from stores, or are asked to buy phones for someone else - or if you know of someone selling phones below market cost - please report the activity using the contact information on this website. In the meantime, please explore our site to learn more.