DALLAS COUNTY – An Iowa man thought he’d make his boss sorry by intentionally spilling thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, and after an environmental catastrophe, the suspect is now facing consequences
On May 3, 2025 at approximately 1:41 AM, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 27099 U Ave for a criminal mischief call. A suspect had accessed an above ground diesel fuel storage tank and intentionally let approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel spill onto the farm property. The cost of the fuel spilled is over $10,000 and the estimated cost of the environmental cleanup is over $100,000.
The investigation utilized cameras and witness corroboration to identify the suspect as 36-year-old Aaron Wayne Peek of Des Moines. Peek was a former employee of the farming company. Peek was arrested on May 6 on the following charges:
– Theft, 1st degree
– Criminal Mischief, 1st degree
– Trespassing
The Dallas County Emergency Management Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with cooperation from the property owner are working in conjunction with numerous local agencies on mitigating the diesel spill.