NEWMAN — Two Indiana men spent their Thanksgiving in the Douglas County Jail after being arrested early Wednesday for possession of anhydrous ammonia.

Douglas County Sheriff Charlie McGrew said a deputy spotted a sport utility vehicle at a gas station east of Newman about 3:30 a.m. and checked on the occupants.

McGrew said some things the men told the deputy, along with the way they were acting, raised his suspicions.

When the men, who said they were headed to Decatur, were seen going the opposite direction toward the FS Plant in Newman, the deputy stopped their vehicle.

Members of the Illinois State Police Meth Response Team, the East Central Illinois Task Force and Villa Grove police assisted Douglas County deputies.

McGrew said officers found propane tanks and hoses adapted for anhydrous ammonia tanks. Anhydrous ammonia is needed in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Arrested were Thomas L. Harmon, 34, and Christopher J. Darling, 28, both of Terre Haute, Ind.

Both men appeared Wednesday before a Douglas County judge, who set Harmon's bond at $25,000 and Darling's at $50,000. Their SUV was seized.

McGrew said the two are due back in court next week to face formal charges.

Although there haven't been a large number of anhydrous thefts recently, McGrew said deputies patrol around the fertilizer plants nightly to deter that.

McGrew urged that anyone who lives in the country and sees suspicious vehicles or activity to call the sheriff's office immediately at 253-2913 or 911.